Hosts New Zealand thoroughly outplayed the Bangladesh women in a rain-affected game at Dunedin, the hometown of Kiwi veteran Suzie Bates, who also played a starring role with the bat, as New Zealand brought their World Cup campaign back on track with an emphatic nine-wicket victory. The Bangladesh batting order could not capitalise on the excellent start that the openers gave them, and ended up posting a disappointing 140, as New Zealand chased it down with ease.
After heavy rains at Dunedin took away nearly four hours of play, the match was shortened to 27 overs a side. Batting first, Bangladesh opening batters Shamima Sultana and Fargana Hoque got off to a brisk start, scoring 59 runs before Sultana departed off the second ball of the tenth over for a decent contribution of 33, as captain Nigar Sultana walked out to bat.
The Bangladesh skipper did not last long in the middle, off an attempted square cut that went straight into the grateful grasp of Katey Martin behind the stumps. Hoque was the only Bangladesh batter who was able to stay at the crease, getting absolutely no support from her teammates as the Bangladesh innings collapsed like a pack of cards.
There were wickets at regular intervals, before Hoque herself was dismissed for 52. It only got worse from that point forward as the Bangladesh tail crumbled, and failed to get any runs, ending the innings on 140/8 after their quota of 27 overs was complete. They would have had to do very well up front if they were to stand any chance of winning the game.
In reply, the target of 141 was hardly a challenge for the New Zealand women. Opener and skipper Sophie Devine was dismissed in the seventh over, but it was smooth sailing from that point forward, as Suzie Bates, who was playing in front of her home crowd, together with Amelia Kerr, just took the game away from the listless Bangladesh women.
The two put up a classy 108-run partnership as New Zealand ended up reaching the target quite comfortably. Bates top-scored with an unbeaten 79, while Kerr played a breezy 47, as the Black Caps jumped places on the table, moving to third position. Hometown girl Suzie Bates picked up the player of the match award for her innings of 79.
