Hayley Matthews has been the backbone of West Indies throughout the tournament due to her match-winning performances and leadership.
Hayley Matthews led from the front as West Indies Women cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh Women in a crucial ICC Women’s T20 World Cup encounter, keeping their semi-final hopes alive.
Matthews delivered a standout all-round performance, contributing both with the bat and ball to secure a dominant win for her side. Her quickfire 34 off 22 balls in the run chase set the tone for an easy victory, while her bowling helped restrict Bangladesh to a below-par total.
After electing to bat first, Bangladesh could only muster 103 for eight in their 20 overs, a total that was never likely to trouble a West Indian side in form. Bangladesh’s batting was anchored by their captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who fought valiantly with a well-constructed 39 off 44 balls.
Joty’s innings not only helped her side reach a respectable score but also saw her become the first Bangladeshi woman to cross the milestone of 2000 T20I runs, marking a historic moment in her career.
However, Joty’s effort was not enough to offset the damage inflicted by the West Indies bowlers, particularly Karishma Ramharack. The off-spinner was the pick of the West Indies attack, returning impressive figures of 4 for 17. She was also adjudged the Player of the Match for her superb spell.
Ramharack, alongside Afy Fletcher, who claimed two key wickets, ensured Bangladesh struggled to build momentum throughout their innings.
Fletcher dismissed Taj Nehar and Shorna Akter, leaving Bangladesh with few options to accelerate the scoring. Matthews added to the pressure by removing Joty in the final over, ending Bangladesh’s innings at 103 for 8.
Chasing 104, West Indies got off to a blistering start, with Matthews and Stafanie Taylor combining for a 52-run opening partnership. Matthews, known for her aggressive stroke play, took charge early on, dispatching the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts of the ground.
She smashed five boundaries in her 34-run knock, providing the West Indies with the perfect platform to chase down the target. Unfortunately, her innings was cut short when she was dismissed by Marufa Akter, but by then, the damage had already been done.
Also Read: Young Windies all-rounder reveals story of KKR star giving power-hitting tips and gifting him a bat
Stafanie Taylor, who made 27 off 29 balls, also played a crucial role in the chase before being forced to retire hurt. Despite her departure, the West Indies batters never looked in trouble. Shemaine Campbelle contributed 21 off 16 balls before Deandra Dottin finished the match in style, smashing 19 not out off just 7 deliveries. Dottin’s powerful hitting, including two sixes in the final overs, sealed the victory with 43 balls to spare.
This victory places West Indies in a strong position in the group stages, bringing them closer to a semi-final spot. The win was crucial for the Caribbean side as they moved to the top of the points table, bolstered by a healthy net run rate. With Matthews leading by example and their bowlers in fine form, West Indies are peaking at the right time in this tournament.
For Bangladesh, it was another disappointing outing as their batting lineup once again failed to deliver under pressure. While Joty’s milestone was a bright spot, the lack of contributions from other batters left them with too much to do against a disciplined West Indies bowling attack.
Bangladesh’s hopes of advancing in the tournament now hinge on their final group match against South Africa, where they will need a big performance to keep their semi-final dreams alive.
As for West Indies, with Hayley Matthews at the helm, they will be confident heading into their remaining matches. Matthews has been the backbone of her team throughout the tournament, and her leadership, combined with match-winning performances, makes West Indies a formidable contender for the title. This victory further cements their place as one of the teams to watch in the race for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
