BAN Women vs PNG Women, WT20 WC Qualifier – Kirtipur, Jan 20 2026

In the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier on January 20, 2026, Bangladesh Women played Papua New Guinea Women at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. Bangladesh won big, by 30 runs, mostly because Shorna Akter had an awesome game! She scored 37 runs really fast (only 14 balls!) and got a wicket, winning her Player of the Match.

This game showed who’s boss in Group A. Bangladesh had some crazy batting, smart bowling, and good fielding. It was also a chance for some new players to shine, which is cool because it proves women’s cricket in Bangladesh is getting deeper.

Toss, Pitch, and Weather

Papua New Guinea chose to field first after winning the toss. It was a weird move, since the pitch in Kirtipur is usually good for batting when it’s sunny. It was a dry pitch, great for hitting, but not so much for the fast bowlers. There was some dew expected later, which could’ve made chasing easier, but Bangladesh scored so many runs that it didn’t even matter.

Bangladesh’s Turn to Bat: Quick Runs and Good Partnerships

Bangladesh Women racked up a solid 168/5 in their 20 overs. Shorna Akter was on fire, blasting 37 runs off just 14 balls! She kept hitting boundaries at exactly the right times, speeding up the score at the end. Dilara Akter chipped in with 35 runs off 29 balls, keeping things steady early on.

Juairiya Ferdous and Sharmin Akhter helped out at the beginning, and Sobhana Mostary ended up with 34 not out off 24 balls, helping Bangladesh get to a strong total. The captain, Nigar Sultana, only got six runs but was calling the shots from the field. There were six extra runs too, which showed PNG bowled okay, but not well enough to stop Bangladesh from setting a big total.

The 49-run opening partnership between Juairiya and Dilara and a 62-run partnership later on were key. They showed Bangladesh can attack and take risks when they need to, which is key in T20.

Papua New Guinea’s Turn: Battling the Pressure

PNG Women had a rough start trying to chase 169. Konio Oala and Hollan Doriga got out early, leaving them at 32/2. Captain Brenda Tau fought hard, scoring 35 off 32 balls. Sibona Jimmy added 28 runs, keeping PNG in with a chance for a bit.

But PNG couldn’t build partnerships because Bangladesh’s bowling was just too good. There were also a bunch of run-outs, including Pauke Siaka, Naoani Vare, and Henao Thomas, because Bangladesh’s fielding was sharp. PNG ended up with 138/9 in 20 overs, losing by 30 runs.

Shorna Akter: Best Player!

Shorna Akter was the reason Bangladesh won. Her hitting at the end got them extra runs, and her bowling got key wickets. She does well under pressure, and she’s good at everything, which shows how good women’s cricket is getting in Bangladesh.

She’s proof that you need players who can do a bit of everything in T20, someone who can smash it and bowl smartly to swing the game.

Bowling and Fielding Highlights

Bangladesh bowled really tightly. Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, and Sobhana Mostary kept it tight, which forced mistakes and got them wickets at important times. They also got those run-outs, which says a lot about their fielding.

PNG bowlers Mairi Tom and Henao Thomas tried to slow the scoring but kept getting hit for runs. Bangladesh used their bowlers well and moved the field around so no batter could get comfortable.

Smart Moves and Plans

PNG chose to field first, hoping to use the early conditions, but Bangladesh’s batting was too strong. Bangladesh had a plan to attack in the middle and at the end, which meant they made the most of every chance to score.

They took time-outs to talk things over, especially when they changed bowlers and moved fielders around. It showed how much they think about the game now, with coaches and captains having a real impact on what happens.

A Few Questions

The game was mostly fair, but those run-outs for PNG made people wonder if they were talking to each other enough. People said that PNG needed to be more aware of what was going on and work better as a team.

Bangladesh played so well, people were impressed. Some said that PNG needs to work on fielding and pressure handling.

Good Stuff and Big Moments

Shorna Akter’s all-round display was the highlight, showing how much new talent there is in Bangladesh cricket. Sobhana Mostary’s unbeaten 34 and Dilara Akter keeping it steady also showed how valuable good partnerships are.

The fielding, with all those run-outs, showed how prepared and quick Bangladesh were. PNG’s Brenda Tau played well with 35 runs, leading her team when they were under pressure.

What it Means for Group A

Bangladesh won, so they’re top of Group A with two wins and look like they’ll qualify easily. PNG are at the bottom, so they need to start winning.

This result means Bangladesh can go into their next games full of confidence. It shows how important it is to be clear about your plans, do well under pressure, and how competitive women’s T20 is becoming.

Fans and the World

The fans in Kirtipur loved the game, enjoying the hitting and the tactics. Social media was buzzing about Shorna Akter and Bangladesh’s fielding, getting more people talking about women’s cricket.

Games like this show how exciting T20 can be for new fans, especially in countries where cricket is growing. It also shows why it’s important to invest in coaching and training to keep things competitive.

In Conclusion: Bangladesh Women are on fire!

The match between Bangladesh Women and Papua New Guinea Women on January 20, 2026, will be remembered for Bangladesh’s all-round show. They batted aggressively, bowled well, and fielded sharply to win by 30 runs, keeping their hopes alive for the knockout stages.

Shorna Akter was the star, and Dilara Akter, Sobhana Mostary, and others all played their part. PNG Women fought hard but couldn’t handle the pressure of Bangladesh’s bowling and fielding.

This match was exciting for fans and showed how much women’s T20 cricket has improved, setting the scene for more great games in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier.