Juairiya fifty on T20 World Cup debut headlines Bangladesh's winning start

Juairiya Ferdous marked her Women's T20 World Cup debut with a match-winning half-century as Bangladesh held their nerve to defeat Netherlands by six wickets in a tense Group B encounter at Edgbaston, sealing their highest successful chase in Women's T20 World Cups.

Chasing 140, Bangladesh cruised through the Powerplay before suffering a dramatic collapse, but an unbroken 50-run stand between Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter carried them home with five balls to spare.

Opting to bat, Netherlands suffered early setbacks as Marufa Akter struck in the second over to remove Phebe Molkenboer while Fariha Trisna accounted for Heather Siegers. Captain Babette de Leede anchored the innings with a composed 50 off 45 balls. De Leede found support from Robine Rijke and Frederique Overdijk before being run out, as Netherlands finished with 139 for 8.

Bangladesh's chase began explosively as Juairiya and Dilara Akter added 67 without loss inside eight overs. Juairiya dominated, taking on both pace and spin as she raced to a 32-ball fifty, striking seven fours and two sixes.

Just when the chase appeared straightforward, Netherlands staged a remarkable comeback. Caroline de Lange dismissed Juairiya immediately after her fifty and then bowled captain Nigar Sultana first ball. Silver Siegers bowled Dilara for 26 before Frederique Overdijk produced a direct-hit run-out to send back Sobhana Mostary. From 67 without loss, Bangladesh slipped to 85 for 4.

Sharmin and Shorna then restored calm with a measured 56-run partnership. The pair rotated strike efficiently before Sharmin broke the boundary drought with a crucial four. With the asking rate under control, the duo steadily chipped away at the target.

Brief scores: Netherlands 139/8 in 20 overs (Babette de Leede 50; Marufa Akter 2-31) lost to Bangladesh 141/4 in 19.1 overs (Juairiya Ferdous 50, Sharmin Akhter 37*, Dilara Akter 26; Caroline de Lange 2-27) by six wickets.