Dilara’s unbeaten 67 powers Bangladesh women past Zimbabwe by nine wickets

Bangladesh women’s team bounced back from an opening defeat in style on Friday, beating Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy.

Opener Dilara Akter was the star, finishing unbeaten on 67 off 48 balls with eight fours.

Zimbabwe, put into bat, struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack. Chipo Mugeri top-scoring on 40 off 30 balls while leg-spinner Rabeya Khan led the attack with 3-26. Disha Biswas took two wickets and Ritu Moni one.

Dilara and fellow opener Sathi Rani then set up the chase, putting on 104 for the first wicket. Sathi fell off the last ball of the 13th over for 45 off 43 balls.

Dilara guided the team over the finish line, finishing the match with Sharmin Akter, who was unbeaten on six off 13 balls.

Sobhana Mostary led the side in the absence of Nigar Sultana, who is out with a finger injury.

Bangladesh are third in Group B with one win from two games. They next face second-placed Netherlands on November 16.