Bangladesh Women begin their World Cup under Nigar Sultana, who has scored 322 runs in her last ten T20Is at an average of 46.00 and a strike rate of almost 132. Sobhana Mostary has 256 runs in her last ten at 32.00, and opener Dilara Akter became the fastest Bangladesh woman to a T20I fifty with 51 off 26 balls against the Netherlands, hitting eight fours and two sixes.
Marufa Akter leads the pace attack after taking 2/18 in a warm-up against Ireland, Fariha Trisna has produced key wickets, and Sanjida Akter Meghla took three in the same game. Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan give control in the middle overs, which could matter against a Dutch batting order that has sometimes struggled against spin.
The Netherlands, captained by Babette de Leede, are keen to impress. De Leede hit 30 off 14 against Bangladesh in the tri-series, Sterre Kalis scored 154 in qualifying, and Heather Siegers has 10 wickets in nine matches at 6.23 an over. Iris Zwilling dismissed Dilara Akter in the previous meeting, with Caroline de Lange and Frédérique Overdijk adding variety. If their middle order builds partnerships against spin, another upset is possible.
