Dilara smashes Bangladesh's fastest WT20I fifty in win over Netherlands

Opener Dilara Akter smashed the fastest fifty by a Bangladesh batter in Women's T20 Internationals as the Tigresses signed off their tri-series campaign with a 13-run win over the Netherlands in a rain-affected contest in Edinburgh on Thursday.

Dilara blasted 51 off just 26 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes. It was her maiden WT20I half-century and came off only 22 deliveries, surpassing the previous Bangladesh record held by Rumana Ahmed, who reached her fifty in 28 balls against Pakistan in 2019.

Batting first in a match reduced to eight overs per side following a delayed start due to rain, Bangladesh posted 98 for three. Apart from Dilara's fireworks, Juairiya Ferdous chipped in with 13 while Sobhana Mostary remained unbeaten on 11. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty added nine runs.

The Netherlands made a flying start to their chase as openers Heather Siegers (21 off 15) and Babette de Leede (30 off 14) put on 52 runs for the opening wicket.

However, pacer Fariha Islam Trisna turned the tide by dismissing both batters within the space of three deliveries.

Robine Rijke then kept the Dutch hopes alive with a quickfire 21 off 12 balls, taking the game into the final over with 19 runs required.

Ritu Moni held her nerve in the decisive over, conceding just five runs while claiming three wickets, including the run-out of Rijke, as Bangladesh restricted the Netherlands to 85 for five.

Bangladesh had endured a difficult start to the tri-series, losing their opening two matches to Scotland and the Netherlands by eight wickets and eight runs respectively. They bounced back with a 34-run victory over Scotland before ending the campaign with Thursday's win.

Hosts Scotland topped the standings with six points from four matches in the tri-series, which did not feature a final, while Bangladesh finished second with four points from four games.

Bangladesh will now travel to England, where they are scheduled to play warm-up matches against New Zealand and Ireland in Loughborough on June 6 and 9 respectively.

The Tigresses, drawn in Group A alongside India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and the Netherlands, will begin their tournament campaign against the Dutch side in Birmingham on June 14.