Tigresses seal 4th straight victory to top group phase

The Bangladesh Women's team secured its fourth straight victory in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers, beating Ireland by 9 runs in their last match of the Group A at Mulapani Cricket Ground in Nepalon Saturday.

Sharmin Akter Supta was the key performer behind the victory, hitting a 45 ball-52, an inning laced with five fours and one six.

Thanks to her half-century, Bangladesh put on a respectable 153-7 after electing to bat first.

In reply, Ireland were held back to 144-4 despite a 58 ball-73 from their captain and opener Gaby Lewis.

Bangladesh bowlers bowled in a disciplined manner to stifle Irish batters for runs. Another opener Amy Hunter made 35 before injury forced her to retire. 

His retirement eventually broke the 53-run partnership and began Irish rot which eventually led to their defeat despite valiant effort from the captain Lewis.

Earlier, Supta steadied the innings after Bangladesh lost opener Juairia Ferdous Mou cheaply. 

She added 70-run with Dilara Akter who made 35 to pave the platform of the big total.

Sobhana Mostary struck 16 ball-30 with one four and three sixes to take the side past the 150-run mark.

Bangladesh beat USA by 21 runs in the first match before sealing a 30 and 80 runs victory against Papua New Guinea and Namibia respectively in the second and third match.

They had already moved to the Super Six and made a giant stride toward the T20 World Cup to be held in England and Wales in June-July this year.    �"BSS