New Delhi: In a moment of joy for Bangladesh cricket, its women’s team has secured a spot in this year’s T20 World Cup 2026 after men’s team witnessed setback. On Wednesday, Bangladesh women defeated Thailand by 39 runs in the qualifiers in Nepal to book a spot in the women’s T20 spectacle in mid of this year.
With the Super Six stage of the qualifiers starting on January 28, Bangladesh along with Netherlands booked two spots out of the total four spots available for the global women’s event. With the Bangladesh men’s team getting replaced by Scotland for the showpiece event next month after they citied security concerns in India and the men’s under-19 team failing to reach the Under-19 ongoing World Cup semifinal’s, this comes as a joyous news.
Joy for Bangladesh cricket
Sobhana Mostary top-scored with 59 runs as Bangladesh women thrashed Thailand by 39 runs as a century stand between Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana helped them secure a place at the seventh successive T20 World Cup. Opener Juairiya and Sobhana rallied Bangladesh from 12 for two having been put into bat, as Juairiya made 56 from 45 balls, smashing three fours and four sixes.
Sobhana fell nine deliveries after her opening partner, having made 59 from 42 balls, with nine boundaries, before the lower order wobbled with at least one wicket in every over from the 16th onwards. In the second innings, Thailand were set a target of 166 to win but
Thailand were set 166 to win but succumbed at 126 for 8 with Nathakan Chantham top-scoring for the team with 44 runs. Naruemol Chaiwai (30), and Nannapat Koncharoenkeat (29) offered some help for the Thais but Bangladesh bowling led by Marufa Akter (three wickets), Ritu Moni and Shorna Akter (two wickets), and Fahima Khatun (one wicket) pushing them against the wall. Bangladesh will next face Scotland on Friday before concluding the stage against the Netherlands on Sunday.
Netherlands script history
On the other hand, Netherlands scripted history by qualifying for their maiden women’s T20 World Cup. Batters shined for them powering the side to a 21-run victory via the DLS method over USA to confirm their place in the marquee event beginning from June 12.