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New Zealand Women Beat Bangladesh Women by 100 Runs
After two initial defeats, the White Ferns are finally airborne! A gritty century-stand between Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday powered New Zealand to a competitive total before their bowlers dismantled Bangladesh, securing a massive 100-run victory in Guwahati.
GUWAHATI, Assam – The White Ferns have finally found their roar! After two disappointing losses(vs AUSW & RSAW) to start their ICC Women's World Cup 2025 campaign, New Zealand Women delivered a complete, commanding performance to defeat Bangladesh Women by a resounding 100 runs at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Faced with a must-win situation, the Kiwis showcased their character, bouncing back from a top-order collapse to post a fighting total, which their bowlers then defended with ruthless efficiency. This victory, built on the backbone of a magnificent 112-run partnership between skipper Sophie Devine and the Player of the Match, Brooke Halliday, has reignited their World Cup hopes.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand's innings seemed to be stuck in a familiar nightmare. They found themselves reeling at 38 for 3, with the talented trio of Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, and Amelia Kerr back in the pavilion. The Bangladeshi spinners, led by the impressive Rabeya Khan, had the White Ferns tangled in a web of doubt.
This is when experience and grit took center stage. Captain Sophie Devine (63 off 85 balls), known for her explosive hitting, traded flair for fortitude. She was brilliantly supported by Brooke Halliday (69 off 104 balls), who played the innings of her life. The duo didn't try to overpower the bowling; instead, they worked the gaps, ran hard, and absorbed the pressure in a match-rescuing stand.
"We knew the plan was to bat for a long time until the 40th over and then have party time," Halliday revealed after the match. "The biggest thing was being okay with getting ones and being boring."
Their "boring" approach was, in fact, a masterclass in rebuilding. Once they laid the foundation, the lower order, including a blistering cameo from Lea Tahuhu, provided the final kick, pushing New Zealand to a competitive 227 for 9 in their 50 overs.
In response, the Bangladesh innings never found its footing. The experienced Kiwi pace attack came out all guns blazing. Jess Kerr (3/21) and Rosemary Mair (2/20) were simply unplayable in their opening spells, reducing Bangladesh to a disastrous 33 for 6.
The Bangladeshi batswomen had no answer to the disciplined line and length, with wickets falling at a rapid pace. While Fahima Khatun (34) and Rabeya Khan (25) showed some late resistance with a fighting 49-run partnership, the target was always a mountain too high to climb.
The innings eventually folded for 127 in the 39.5th over, handing New Zealand a massive victory. The win was made even more special as it coincided with veteran pacer Lea Tahuhu celebrating her 100th ODI appearance with a fine three-wicket haul.
1.The Partnership: In a tournament where middle-order stability has been a concern, the Devine-Halliday stand was the game-changer. It wasn't about the strike rate but about the sheer number of balls faced, wearing down the opposition.
2. Bowling with Purpose: After their batters had fought so hard, the bowlers were relentless. They exploited the early moisture and pressure perfectly, not allowing Bangladesh any breathing space.
3. Fixing the Basics: The team cut down on soft dismissals and fielding errors, which had cost them in previous matches. This professional approach was the hallmark of their victory.
Faced with a must-win situation, the Kiwis showcased their character, bouncing back from a top-order collapse to post a fighting total, which their bowlers then defended with ruthless efficiency. This victory, built on the backbone of a magnificent 112-run partnership between skipper Sophie Devine and the Player of the Match, Brooke Halliday, has reignited their World Cup hopes.
A Roller-Coaster Innings: From Wobble to Stability
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand's innings seemed to be stuck in a familiar nightmare. They found themselves reeling at 38 for 3, with the talented trio of Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, and Amelia Kerr back in the pavilion. The Bangladeshi spinners, led by the impressive Rabeya Khan, had the White Ferns tangled in a web of doubt.
This is when experience and grit took center stage. Captain Sophie Devine (63 off 85 balls), known for her explosive hitting, traded flair for fortitude. She was brilliantly supported by Brooke Halliday (69 off 104 balls), who played the innings of her life. The duo didn't try to overpower the bowling; instead, they worked the gaps, ran hard, and absorbed the pressure in a match-rescuing stand.
"We knew the plan was to bat for a long time until the 40th over and then have party time," Halliday revealed after the match. "The biggest thing was being okay with getting ones and being boring."
Their "boring" approach was, in fact, a masterclass in rebuilding. Once they laid the foundation, the lower order, including a blistering cameo from Lea Tahuhu, provided the final kick, pushing New Zealand to a competitive 227 for 9 in their 50 overs.
Bangladesh's Chase Derailed from the Start
In response, the Bangladesh innings never found its footing. The experienced Kiwi pace attack came out all guns blazing. Jess Kerr (3/21) and Rosemary Mair (2/20) were simply unplayable in their opening spells, reducing Bangladesh to a disastrous 33 for 6.
The Bangladeshi batswomen had no answer to the disciplined line and length, with wickets falling at a rapid pace. While Fahima Khatun (34) and Rabeya Khan (25) showed some late resistance with a fighting 49-run partnership, the target was always a mountain too high to climb.
The innings eventually folded for 127 in the 39.5th over, handing New Zealand a massive victory. The win was made even more special as it coincided with veteran pacer Lea Tahuhu celebrating her 100th ODI appearance with a fine three-wicket haul.
Expert Analysis: What Won New Zealand the Game?
1.The Partnership: In a tournament where middle-order stability has been a concern, the Devine-Halliday stand was the game-changer. It wasn't about the strike rate but about the sheer number of balls faced, wearing down the opposition.
2. Bowling with Purpose: After their batters had fought so hard, the bowlers were relentless. They exploited the early moisture and pressure perfectly, not allowing Bangladesh any breathing space.
3. Fixing the Basics: The team cut down on soft dismissals and fielding errors, which had cost them in previous matches. This professional approach was the hallmark of their victory.
What's Next?
The action continues in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 as England Women take on Sri Lanka Women in Colombo today. All eyes will be on whether New Zealand can use this victory as a springboard for a surge into the tournament's knockout stages.
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