Bangladesh women’s cricket team secured their World Cup spot when they trounced their Zimbabwean counterparts by 31 runs in the low-scoring first Trophy Semi-Final of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier at Terdthai Cricket Ground (TCG) in Bangkok yesterday.
By virtue of winning the match, they cruised to the Trophy Final, where they will clash against Ireland at TCG on December 5. Both finalists of the Qualifier will play in the upcoming ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2016 to be held in India in March-April.
This will be the second time for Bangladesh, who acquired the qualification to play in the World Cup since 2014. Previously they played the World Cup at home soil that they had done beating Ireland by 17 runs. Having asked to bat first, Bangladesh mustered 89 for five in their 20 overs, after which Zimbabwe were shot out for 58 with five balls to spare.
Opener Sharmin Ahhter stitched a valuable 51-run partnership with Farzana Haque for the fourth wicket after Bangladesh lost three wickets inside five overs. Both Sharmin and Farzana walked backed to the pavilion being unfortunate run-out by wicketkeeper Nonhlanhla Nyathi.
Farzana Haque, who top-scored for Bangladesh, made a run-a-ball 43 with the help of four boundaries. And Sharmin Akhter smashed 22 off 34 with no four or six. Ritu Moni remained at wickets on nine along with skipper Jahanara Alam was on two not out. Josephine Nkomo grabbed two wickets for the losing side.
Chasing the target of 90, Zimbabwe stumbled to make a good start when they lost their opener Modester Mupachikwa, who fell for nine being run-out. Rumana Ahmed gave the big breakthrough removing skipper Chipo Mugeri and Josephine Nkomo in the 7th over when the Southern African nation were struggling on 21 for three.
Soon after, Fahima Khatun had Sharne Mayers for two. Shaila Sharmin and Fahima Khatun thereafter stretched their fuss further when the duo took another three wickets in the space of four runs. Pellagia Mujaji was the only batter for Zimbabwe, who reached  double figure. She hit a run-a-ball 10 with one boundary.
Rumana Ahmed was the most successful bowler, who scalped four for eight. Fahima Khatun and Shaila Sharmin claimed two wickets for the winners.

Scores
Bangladesh: 89/5 in 20 overs
Zimbabwe: 58/10 in 19.1 overs