West Indies beat Bangladesh to stay in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals race – Crictoday

Crictoday
Lifeline of Cricket

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Off-spinner Karishma Ramharack took 4-17 as West Indies beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.
Ramharack’s spell restricted Bangladesh to 103-8. Skipper Hayley Matthews led the chase with 34 off 22 balls, hitting six boundaries, to help her side score 104-2 in 12.5 overs and boost their hopes of reaching the semifinals.
West Indies moved atop Group B with its second win in three games. It could still need another win in its final group game against England to qualify for the semis.
England has a game in hand; Scotland on Sunday, then West Indies on Tuesday.
Second-placed South Africa also needs a win in its last group game against Bangladesh on Saturday to advance.
Tournament host Bangladesh has lost all three of its games.
Ramharack was in action early, and Bangladesh opener Shathi Rani was stumped for 9 and Dilara Akter was bowled on 19.
Shobana Mostary (16) revived the innings in a 40-run partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana, who top-scored with 39 off 44 balls.
Ramharack again provided the breakthrough, with Mostary stumped in the 13th over.
Bangladesh slumped, and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher took 2-25.
Sultana hit four fours but couldn’t generate any more momentum with the lower middle order, and Bangladesh had to settle for a below-par total despite a slow Sharjah track.
In reply, Matthews brought her power game in 52 off 45 balls for the first wicket with Stafanie Taylor.
Matthews provided the punchy start before she was bowled in the eighth over.
Taylor scored 27 off 29 balls, including three fours, before retiring hurt. It didn’t West Indies, however, as Shemaine Campbelle scored 21 off 16 balls and Deandra Dottin smacked an unbeaten 19 off seven balls, including two sixes.