Bangladesh edge past Netherlands to conclude T20I tri-series on winning note

EDINBURGH: Dilara Akter's blistering half-century powered Bangladesh to a 13-run victory over Netherlands in the rain-hit last fixture of the Scotland-hosted T20I tri-series here at the Grange Cricket Club Ground on Thursday.

In a match that was reduced to eight overs per side, Netherlands captain Babette de Leede won the toss and elected to field first, but the decision backfired as Bangladesh piled up a massive total of 98/3 in their allotted overs.

Leading the way for them was right-handed opener Akter, who top-scored with a quickfire 51 off 26 deliveries, studded with eight fours and two sixes, and was thus adjudged the Player of the Match.

She shared valuable partnerships with fellow top-order batters Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary, who contributed with 13 and 11, respectively.

For Netherlands, Myrthe van den Raad, Heather Siegers and Iris Zwilling could pick up one wicket apiece.

Set to chase a daunting 99-run target in eight overs, Netherlands could accumulate 85/5 and thus succumbed to their third defeat in the T20I series.

Skipper de Leede remained the top-scorer for Netherlands with her blazing 30 off 14 deliveries, comprising five fours. Besides her, fellow top-order batters Heather Siegers and Robine Rijke, 21 each, could amass double figures.

For Bangladesh, Ritu Moni and Fariha Trisna bagged two wickets each.

The 13-run victory meant Bangladesh concluded their T20I tri-series campaign on a winning note, while it also helped them finish second in the standings with four points, two less than Scotland, who clinched the title following their 24-run triumph over Netherlands in the previous fixture at the same venue on Wednesday.