ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup New Zealand beat Bangladesh for first win

Saturday, 11 October 2025 01:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine put on a century stand for New Zealand

Rabeya Khan who took three wickets wheels off in celebration

Jess Kerr struck twice in two overs to unsettle the Bangladesh batting

New Zealand opened their account in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup when they beat Bangladesh by a thumping margin of 100 runs at Guwahati yesterday.

Bangladesh faced their second highest run-chase in this format when New Zealand inserted to bat first scored 227-9, but their batters struggled against a disciplined bowling attack and succumbed for 127 to lose with more than 10 overs to spare.

Bangladeshi batters struggled for momentum from the word-go as Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr kept probing away by generating a substantial amount of swing and seam movement. They went into their shell and also kept losing wickets at regular intervals slumping to 33-6 at one stage. From there on, Bangladesh showed some resistance to stitch together partnerships and take the score past 125 but they were always playing catch-up cricket with none of the top order batters having a say. Even though New Zealand won they were not spotless with the ball. They conceded 30 extras – 21 of which were wides. Tahuhu, in her 100th ODI, picked up three wickets, with Jess Kerr also popping up with a three-wicket haul. Mair, playing her first game of the tournament, also finished with two wickets, with Amelia Kerr the other wicket-taker.

New Zealand were in a bit of bother when their top-order failed to impress. After being reduced to 38-3 New Zealand did well to get to 227-9 thanks mainly to the partnership of 112 off 166 balls between Sophie Devine (63 off 85 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and Brooke Halliday (69 off 104 balls, 5 fours, 1 six). Both of them got fifties but couldn’t quite cash in at the death as they perished while going for the big shots. Yet, New Zealand scored 74 off the final 10 overs. For Bangladesh, Marufa Akter had an off day but the spinners were very good, especially Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter.

Scores: New Zealand Women 227-9 (50) (Suzie Bates 29, Sophie Devine 63, Brooke Halliday 69, Maddy Green 25, Rabeya Khan 3/30)

Bangladesh Women 127 (39.5) (Fahima Khatun 34, Rabeya Khan 25, Rosemary Mair 2/20, Jess Kerr 3/21, Lea Tahuhu 3/22)