England sends valiant Bangladesh hurling to second defeat

Electing to bat, the 2009 winner and runner-up to Australia in the last two editions, scored 153 for seven and then restricted Bangladesh to 117 for six in a Group B match.

It was Bangladesh’s highest Twenty20 International (T20I) total, but could not prevent a 20th loss in its last 22 matches. It was the South Asian nation’s second successive defeat in the ongoing tournament, having lost to India by 72 runs in its first match.

Edwards, who has captained England in all the five editions of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20, put on 34 for the first wicket with Tammy Beaumont (18).

The 36-year-old veteran batted till the 18th over, hitting seven boundaries in her 51-ball innings, before she was stumped attempting a big hit off Rumana Ahmed.

England, which was 118 for four after 17 overs, smashed 35 runs in the final three overs as Danielle Wyatt (15 off eight balls) and Katherine Brunt (17 off eight balls) went after the bowling.

Bangladesh captain Jahanara Alam removed both Wyatt and Brunt off the last two deliveries of the innings to finish with figures of three for 32.

Edwards also starred in the field with a direct throw to run-out Rumana Ahmed, which reduced Bangladesh to 46 for four in the 11th over.

Nigar Sultana (35) and Salma Khatun (32 not out) boosted the total with a 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket, frustrating England’s bid to bowl Bangladesh out.

“It was nice to get some runs and more importantly a win,” said Edwards. “It is obviously good to start the tournament with a win but some work needs to be done on our bowling and fielding.
  
“There is room for improvement with a big game against India coming up.”
  
Jahanara was encouraged by her team’s improved batting performance.

“We may have lost the match but we managed to put up our best ever total against a big team like England,” she said. “Salma and Nigar batted very well. I hope we do even better next time.”

England plays host India next in Dharamsala on 22 March, while Bangladesh takes on the West Indies in Chennai on 20 March.

Summarised scores:

England beat Bangladesh by 36 runs in Bengaluru
England 153-7, 20 overs (Charlotte Edwards 60, Tammy Beaumont 18, Natalie Sciver 27, Danielle Wyatt 15, Katherine Brunt 17; Jahanara Alam 3-32)
Bangladesh 117-6, 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 35, Salma Khatun 32 not out; Anya Shrubsole 2-27)

Friday's fixtures:
Ireland v New Zealand (15h30) Mohali
Australia v South Africa (1930) Nagpur

Group tables:

Group A

Team              Played Won    Lost     NNR    Points
New Zealand   1          1          0          +1.5     2
Australia         0          0          0          -           0
South Africa   0          0          0          -           0
Ireland             0          0          0          -           0
Sri Lanka        1          0          1          -1.5      0

Group B

Team              Played Won    Lost     NNR    Points
India                1          1          0          +3.6     2
England           1          1          0          +1.8     2
West Indies     1          1          0          +0.2     2
Pakistan          1          0          1          -0.2      0
Bangladesh     2          0          2          -2.7      0