Women's T20 World Cup 2026 : India script laboured win v Bangladesh, South Africa beat Netherlands

 

The group stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 delivered an action-packed double-header on June 25, 2026. India chased down a tricky total against Bangladesh at Old Trafford, while South Africa put on a clinical batting masterclass to overwhelm the Netherlands at the Bristol County Ground. 

India Women vs Bangladesh Women (Old Trafford)

India's Accurate Spin Attack Restricts Bangladesh

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, India’s bowlers adjusted brilliantly to the Old Trafford surface to restrict Bangladesh to 136/8 in their 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav was the standout performer with the ball, tearing through the middle order to finish with phenomenal figures of 3/28 from her 4 overs. She received crucial support from Shree Charani, who picked up 2/21, and Renuka Singh, who kept things airtight early on with a tidy spell of 1/21. For Bangladesh, Juairiya Ferdous top-scored with a gritty 33 off 31 balls (5 fours), and captain Nigar Sultana contributed a vital 32 off 27 balls to give their bowlers something respectable to defend. 

Shafali Verma's Firepower Anchors the Chase

India’s chase was lit up by a blistering, match-winning half-century from opener Shafali Verma. She took the attack to the Bangladeshi bowlers from the outset, crushing 53 runs off just 34 deliveries, laced with 8 boundaries and a massive six, to earn the Player of the Match honors. Valuable cameos from Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) and Yastika Bhatia (23 off 18 balls) ensured that India never lost control of the match though they wanted to chase down the score much earlier .Despite a couple of late strikes from Bangladesh's Ritu Moni (2/29), India comfortably reached 139/5 in 16.5 overs, winning the contest by 5 wickets with 19 balls to spare. 

However it has to be said that India catching was yet again dissappointing which can create alarms before Sunday's must win game vs mighty Australia. 

South Africa Women vs Netherlands Women (Bristol County Ground)

Tazmin Brits Powers South Africa to a Mammoth Total

In Bristol, South Africa's top order completely dismantled the Netherlands' bowling unit after being put in to bat, posting a staggering 208/1 in their 20 overs. Opener Tazmin Brits played the innings of the tournament, smashing an unbeaten 114 runs off 69 balls. Her jaw-dropping knock included 15 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 165.22. Brits anchored a massive opening partnership with captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored a steady 45 off 36 balls, before Annerie Dercksen provided the finishing fireworks with a brutal 37 off just 16 deliveries*, striking at 231.25. The Dutch bowlers had no answers, with Silver Siegers conceding 60 runs in her 4 overs and Hannah Landheer (1/34) claiming the lone breakthrough. 

Khaka and Tryon Suffocate the Dutch Chase

Faced with a mountain to climb, the Netherlands put up a spirited fight but were eventually restricted to 120/8, handing South Africa a massive 88-run victory. Phebe Molkenboer fought hard with a top score of 41 off 41 balls, and Sanya Khurana contributed a quick 36 off 30 balls, but they simply could not keep up with the escalating required rate. South Africa's bowling attack was led flawlessly by Ayabonga Khaka, who picked up 3/19 in her 3 overs, and left-arm orthodox spinner Chloe Tryon, who strangled the middle order with figures of 2/16 from her 4 overs.