New Zealand was in absolute tatters at the halfway stage with the core being 84 for the loss of 3wickets in 25 overs. Bangladesh spinners made the most of the spinning conditions, and also the surface at Guwahati was a used one. White Ferns got themselves even when it was their decision to bat first after winning the toss.
White Ferns had brought in Rosemary Mair in place of Bree Illing, and Bangladesh brought in Sumaiya Akter and Nishita Akter Nishi in place of Ritu Moni & Shanjida Akter Meghla. Both teams made tactical changes, we can say, given the surface is expected to be sluggish and on the slower side
Rabeya Khan’s immaculate bowling dupes New Zealand
Suzie Bates had gotten to a great start, unlike her previous matches. Georgia Plimmer was seen struggling badly from the other end. Nahia Akter, the slow left-arm off-spinner, was immaculate in her line & lengths, which annoyed Georgia Plimmer hugely. Marufa Akter was a bit expensive in her first spell as Suzie Bates launched an attack from the word go, which got White Ferns quick runs at the start of the innings.
Georgia Plimmer, finally, after playing a string of dot balls, threw her wicket away in the 9th over on the bowling of Rabeya Khan as she was stumped on the second ball of the over. Georgia Plimmer had scored 4 mere runs in 18 balls, and the pressure was mounting on her. In the same, Suzie Bates was run out and all of a sudden, White Ferns’ score was 35-2 in 8.4 overs. New Zealand scored 35 runs in the powerplay overs.
Sophie Devine & Brooke Halliday rescue New Zealand
Amelia Kerr was casetled by Rabeya Khan on the last ball of the 11th over, and New Zealand was in serious trouble at 38-3. White Ferns’ skipper Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday made sure that they didn’t panic. At the end of 1st drinks break, New Zealand’s score was 49-3 in 15 overs, and steadily the partnership was growing between Sophie Devine & Brooke Halliday.
Sophie Devine was seen making good footwork to negate the threat of spinners. Boundaries were very hard to come and the scoring rate also wasn’t that great for White Ferns; but most importantly, the partnership was building. New Zealand shockingly scored only 84 runs in the first 25 overs. Nishita Akter Nishi bowled 7 overs but was wicketless. It can prove to be the biggest factor that Bangladesh has quality spinners.
What lies ahead for New Zealand & Bangladesh
New Zealand is in serious trouble at the moment. Apart from Sophie Devine, the batting unit hasn’t clicked that much in this tourney. If New Zealand gets the score close to 220, then they would be in the game as under the lights, the conditions of the game change drastically and also the surface is getting deteriorated slowly & steadily. New Zealand though, also has the luxury of having deceptive spinners like Eden Carson & Amelia Kerr and others as well.
Bangladesh would be eyeing to get rid of Sophie Devine, who can change gears very quickly. The clash between the two teams was expected to be one-sided, with White Ferns holding all Aces, but now the Bangladeshi Tigers or we can say the Bangladeshi Tigresses, have made a huge comeback and a statement in the match. Let’s see if fortunes change for New Zealand or not but Bangladesh can’t afford to be complacent.
Also Read: ICC Women’s ODI WC 2025: New Zealand Search For First Win Against Formidable Bangladesh