The Daily Morning Voice Online Desk: Bangladesh produced a clinical display to stun defending champions Australia in a seven-wicket win in their opening fixture of the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on Saturday. Disha Biswas’ side cruised to their target of 130 with seven wickets in hand and 12 balls remaining as Sumaiya Akter hit the winning runs.

Bangladesh’s chase got off to the worst possible start as they lost opener Misty Shaha in the very first ball of the innings bowled by Mckenna. Afia Prottasha and Dilara Akter then brushed aside any jitters as they put together a 66-run partnership before the latter, who scored a 42-ball 40 featuring seven boundaries, skied one off the bowling of Chloe Ainsworth. Afia smashed two fours and two sixes for her 22-ball 24 before she too was dismissed by Ainsworth leaving Bangladesh at 71-3 after 10.1 overs. A 61-run stand between Shorna Akter and Sumaiya Akter made sure Bangladesh get across the finish line.

Batting first, Australia managed to post 130-5, courtesy of a fifty by Claire Moore who top-scored with 52 runs off 51 balls hitting seven fours on the way before she was dismissed by leg-spinner Rabeya Khan. Australia didn’t get off to the best off starts as Bangladesh pacer Disha Biswas handed them a double blow taking the wickets of both the openers, Kate Pelle and Paris Bowdler, inside the first four overs.

Moore steadied the ship stitching a 76-run stand with Ella Hayward who managed a 39-ball 35 before falling to Marufa Akter in the 18th over with Australia struggling at 102-5. Amy Smith and Rhys Mckenna produced quick-fire cameos as they managed 28 runs in the last over with the former unbeaten on 16 runs off seven balls, while Mckenna hit two fours for her six-ball 12. Marufa and Disha picked up two wickets each and leg-spinner Rabeya scalped one wicket.