On the second matchday, Bangladesh beat the Netherlands to increase their lead atop Group A. However, Papua New Guinea (PNG) held their nerve against United Arab Emirates (UAE) to win by two wickets with a ball remaining to ensure that no team has qualified from Group A, and also that no team is yet eliminated.
The situation is similar in Group B. Ireland put together another comprehensive performance against Scotland to snatch first place from them, but still aren’t guaranteed to qualify heading into their final game against Uganda.
The African side will be riding high after beating Thailand, but even they, with two losses in two, still aren’t out of contention.
Papua New Guinea v United Arab Emirates
PNG edged UAE in a low-scoring thriller to keep their hopes of qualifying for this year’s ICC Women’s World T20 2018 in the Caribbean alive.
Fielding first, the first of three run-outs in the innings from PNG ended UAE’s opening stand of 28, and started a collapse of 17 for seven as the Asian side slid from 28 for no loss to 45 for seven.
Subha Srinivasan then repaired the innings somewhat with an unbeaten 22 as UAE struggled to 83 all out.
PNG, in reply, appeared to be cruising, reaching 50 for two with almost nine overs remaining before Srinivasan intervened again.
She dismissed PNG top-scorer Brenda Tau for 19 and claimed a further two wickets as PNG stuttered in sight of the finish line.
Two run-outs, the second with just one run needed to win, raised the possibility of a tie, but Noaoni Vare managed to tuck a single to secure victory by two wickets with a ball remaining.
Player of the Match, PNG’s Brenda Tau said: “Before the match, I set myself goals and to play my best, it can always be a challenge and a battle, but this win really means a lot to me, for my teammates and everyone back in PNG. We have lots of challenges coming up and I am looking forward to them.”
Bangladesh vs the Netherlands
Bangladesh defeated the Netherlands by seven wickets with 12.1 overs remaining to extend their lead at the top of group A, though results elsewhere meant there is still work to do to make sure they qualify for the semi-finals.
The win was set up by their spinners, and their leg-spinners in particular, though it was beanpole seamer Panna Ghosh who struck the key blow when she bowled the in-form Sterre Kalis for 15.
That remained the hosts’ top score as leg-spinners Rumana Ahmed (three for two) and Fahima Khatun (three for three) proved nigh-on unplayable.
Six Netherlands’ batsmen made ducks, and just two made it into double figures as they finished on 42.
The Netherlands managed to take three wickets to thrill a sizeable crowd, Bangladesh throwing caution to the wind for the sake of net run-rate. Cher van Slobbe impressed with figures of two for four in two overs, but a 12-ball 14 from Shamima Sultana and a nine-ball 11 from Fargana Hoque Pinky were enough to see Bangladesh to victory.
Player of the Match, Fahima Khatun of Bangladesh, said: “I am really happy, for my performance today and the team’s. Next game, I am really looking forward to and hopefully do well again.”
Uganda vs Thailand
Uganda prevailed over Thailand in a low-scoring thriller at Kampong to boost their hopes, though both sides remain in contention going into the final round of fixtures.
The African side struck thrice early on to reduce Thailand to two for three before Nannapat Koncharoenkai and captain Sornnarin Tippoch added 34 for the fourth wicket.
Thailand then slipped again, thanks to two wickets each from Getrude Candiru and Immaculate Nakisuuyi, eventually finishing on 67 for nine.
In reply, Thailand gave themselves a sniff by reducing Uganda to 26 for five. Suleeporn Laomi struck twice in an over on her way to figures of three for 17, but Candiru and Nakisuuyi ensured there would be no miracle, the former making an unbeaten 15 and the latter 22, including the days only six, as Uganda triumphed by four wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Player of the Match, Uganda’s Immaculate Nakisuuyi, said: “I am so happy right now that we have won the game and of my performance. When I went to bat, I had a little bit of pressure, but we managed it well and got the win.”
Ireland vs Scotland
Ireland cruised past Scotland by nine wickets in Amstelveen to put themselves on the verge of progressing to the semi-finals.
A disciplined display with the ball restricted Scotland to 98 for two after Ireland had won the toss and elected to field, with Sarah Bryce carrying her bat for 49 not out.
Ireland’s captain Laura Delany was particularly economical, returning figures of one for 13 from her four overs.
The Irish then made short work of their target, reaching it with 26 balls to spare.
Clare Shillington scored 47 from 39 balls to pick up her second Player of the Match award in as many days while Cecelia Joyce finished 35 not out.
Ireland’s Player of the Match, Clare Shillington said: “I think we pretty much won the game in the field today. I thought our bowlers were excellent - Dellers [Laura Delany] led with the ball, she was superb and very miserly with her runs.
“It was great to see Kim Garth back with the ball in hand, I think everyone is delighted to see her back as she's a real asset to our team. The job had been pretty much done by halfway and then Cecelia and I were able to take it home comfortably enough."
Scores in brief:
Uganda beat Thailand by four wickets at Kampong, Utrecht
Thailand 67-9, 20 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 22; Immaculate Nakisuuyi 2-8)
Uganda 68-6, 18.1 overs (Immaculat Nakisuuyi 21; Suleeporn Laomi 3-17)
Ireland beat Scotland by nine wickets at VRA, Amstelveen
Scotland 98-2, 20 overs (Sarah Bryce 49 not out)
Ireland 99-1, 15.4 overs (Clare Shillington 47, Cecelia Joyce 35*)
Bangladesh beat Netherlands by seven wickets at Kampong, Utrecht
Netherlands 42 all out, 18 overs (Sterre Kalis 15; Rumana Ahmed 2-3)
Bangladesh 44-3, 7.5 overs (Shamima Sultana 14; Cher van Slobbe 2-4)
PNG beat UAE by two wickets at VRA, Amstelveen
UAE 83 (Subha Srinivasan 22; Sibona Jimmy 2-11)
PNG 84-8, 19.5 overs (Brenda Tau 19; Subha Srinivasan 3-13)