Nigar Sultana has really been the backbone of their batting lineup lately, and an unbeaten 83* is exactly the kind of captain
That was a really solid, professional performance from Bangladesh! Nigar Sultana's form has been outstanding — three fifties in three matches, and anchoring the innings so fluently with that unbeaten 83 shows just how confidently she's leading both with bat and brain. Add Sharmin Akhter and Fargana Hoque to the mix, and Bangladesh's top order is really clicking at the right time.
That 103-run stand between Sharmin and Hoque gave them the stability, and then Joty (Sultana) just took over to push the total beyond Scotland's reach. The fact that she was part of four partnerships shows the depth of her impact on the innings — it wasn’t just a cameo, it was a captain's innings from start to finish.
And credit to Bangladesh's bowlers too: once Marufa Akter broke through and Nahida Akter dismissed Scotland’s skipper Kathryn Bryce early, it pretty much set the tone. That 31 for 3 powerplay collapse made the chase look like a mountain. Even though Chatterji and Slatter stitched together that record 115-run eighth-wicket stand — it was more about damage limitation by then.
With the net run rate at 1.49 and one win away from qualification, Bangladesh are looking all set for back-to-back World Cup appearances. It’s also impressive how balanced their side looks — experience up top and variety in the bowling attack, especially the spinners.
It’ll be interesting to see if Scotland can pull off the necessary win against Ireland and hope for other results to swing their way. Ireland's own form has been patchy, but it feels like that clash on Friday is a mini do-or-die for both.
Yeah, that match was a bittersweet one for Ireland — finally getting their first win of the tournament, but also probably frustrated with how long Thailand stretched the game, especially after being four down so early in the chase.
Ireland’s batting finally clicked in this one — Gaby Lewis, Amy Hunter, and Leah Paul all making fifties and keeping the tempo up throughout. Paul's unbeaten 67 off 40 was the perfect finisher's role too, and the total of 305/4 was a statement after some pretty inconsistent outings earlier in the qualifiers.
But the way Thailand batted deep despite the odds, dragging the chase into the final over and registering their highest-ever ODI total, says a lot about their fighting spirit, even if they’re now mathematically out of World Cup contention. Their progress over the last couple of years has been impressive, especially for a side still adjusting to the rigors of longer-format cricket.
From Ireland’s perspective, that win won’t change their qualification hopes, but it could give them a much-needed confidence boost heading into their last fixture against Scotland — which now becomes more about pride for them, and a potential decider for Scotland's faint World Cup hopes.
Bangladesh and Pakistan seem to have the clearest path to the main tournament from here, but there’s still room for a twist depending on results.
Yeah, despite the defeat, Thailand definitely showed real grit — especially from the middle and lower order. That 90-run stand between Naruemol Chaiwai and Phannita Maya was a proper example of calm under pressure, even as the required rate kept ballooning.
And then Suwanan Khiaoto's maiden ODI fifty alongside Thipatcha Puttawong for the eighth wicket? That was another standout, especially for a team chasing over 300 — they turned what could’ve been a total collapse into a pretty respectable scoreboard. That 71-run stand showed the depth and resilience Thailand’s building in their lineup, which is promising for their growth beyond this tournament.
Ireland, though, will be frustrated — especially with the catching. Dropping four more chances (two off Cara Murray and two off Kia McCartney) just added to the trend from earlier games. Fielding has really cost them in this qualifier, even in this win.
Still, a bright note for them was Louise Little’s late burst — three wickets in two balls and finishing with 4 for 28 was probably the best closing moment of their tournament so far. That spell ensured things didn’t drift into a last-over scare, which could’ve been very embarrassing given the earlier dropped chances.
Overall, even though Thailand are out, the way their lower order handled pressure is a good sign for the future. And for Ireland, at least they got a win on the board — but fielding remains a glaring issue.
