Bangladesh opened their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a confident six-wicket victory over the Netherlands at Edgbaston, successfully chasing down a target of 140 thanks to a fluent half-century from opener Juairiya Ferdous and a composed finishing partnership led by Sharmin Akhter.Pursuing 140 for victory, Bangladesh began cautiously as the Netherlands bowlers maintained excellent control in the opening exchanges. The batters managed only eight runs from the first two overs while prioritising wicket preservation.The momentum shifted in the third over when Juairiya Ferdous broke free with a pair of boundaries. The opener enjoyed a fortunate moment soon after when Robine Rijke put down a chance, allowing her to continue her innings. Ferdous made the Netherlands pay immediately, striking back-to-back boundaries and putting the chase firmly back on track.Alongside Dilara Akter, who provided stability at the other end, Ferdous helped Bangladesh make a strong start. The opening pair negotiated the powerplay expertly, taking the score to 47 without loss after six overs.Ferdous then accelerated further, reaching her fifty from just 32 deliveries. The landmark came in style as she launched Caroline de Lange for a six in the eighth over. However, the Dutch bowler responded instantly by dismissing the Bangladesh opener on the following delivery. Ferdous departed after an entertaining knock of 50, decorated with seven fours and two sixes.The wicket triggered a brief period of Dutch dominance. De Lange struck again on the very next ball to remove Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana for a duck, suddenly giving the Netherlands a way back into the contest.Bangladesh’s problems deepened when Silver Siegers bowled Dilara Akter for 26 in the 11th over. Sobhana Mostary then fell to a run-out while attempting a quick single, leaving Bangladesh at 85/4 and under pressure.Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter, however, ensured there would be no further setbacks. The pair combined brilliantly in an unbeaten stand worth 56 runs from only 43 deliveries, steadily taking control of the chase before closing out the match comfortably.Sharmin remained unbeaten on 37 with four boundaries, while Shorna finished on 18 not out and fittingly sealed victory with a six. Bangladesh reached 141/4 in 19.1 overs to register a successful start to their World Cup campaign.Earlier in the day, the Netherlands elected to bat first after winning the toss but found scoring difficult against a disciplined Bangladesh attack. The innings began slowly before opener Phebe Molkenboer briefly lifted the tempo with two boundaries in the second over. Her stay was short-lived as Marufa Akter induced an edge that was collected by wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana.Heather Siegers played positively during her 16-run contribution, but she too fell after edging Fariha Trisna behind. The Netherlands reached 40/2 at the end of the powerplay but struggled to build meaningful partnerships thereafter.Bangladesh continued to chip away with regular wickets. Sterre Kalis was bowled by Rabeya Khan, while Robine Rijke’s innings ended when Marufa Akter held a sharp return catch. Sanya Khurana also failed to make an impact, managing just a single run.Amid the collapses around her, captain Babette de Leede produced a crucial innings to keep the Netherlands competitive. She rotated the strike effectively, found boundaries at key moments and anchored the batting effort as wickets continued to tumble at the other end.De Leede eventually reached a well-constructed half-century from 45 balls before being run out while attempting a second run. Her knock of 50 included five boundaries and formed the backbone of the Dutch total.Useful late contributions from Iris Zwilling, who made 13, and Silver Siegers, who remained unbeaten on 10, helped the Netherlands push their score to 139/8 from 20 overs.However, Bangladesh’s batting depth ultimately proved decisive as Ferdous’ attacking fifty and the unbeaten partnership between Sharmin and Shorna carried the Asian side to a comfortable victory and a winning start to the tournament.Brief Scores: Netherlands 139/8 (Babette de Leede 50, Heather Siegers 16; Marufa Akter 2/31) lost to Bangladesh 141/4 (Juairiya Ferdous 50, Sharmin Akhter 37*) by six wickets.