SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh will look to move a step closer to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup when they take on Thailand in their opening Super Six match of the Qualifiers in Kathmandu today.

The Tigresses stormed into the Super Six unbeaten, winning all four group matches and carrying four crucial points forward.

A win for Bangladesh at Mulpani Cricket Ground, combined with a Netherlands victory over the USA in the day’s other match, would see both Bangladesh and Netherlands (four points) secure qualification for the main event in England and Wales in June. Four teams will advance from the Super Six stage.

Bangladesh began with a 21-run win over the USA before defeating Papua New Guinea and Namibia by 30 and 80 runs respectively. They then edged Ireland by nine runs in a high-voltage clash to top Group A.

Sharmin Akhter Supta has been in fine form, leading Bangladesh’s batting charts with 156 runs in four innings -- the second-highest in the tournament -- while Rabeya Khan has taken seven wickets, joint fourth among the top bowlers.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty credited recent domestic T20 competitions for the team’s consistent batting form. “Our batters have been in great touch since the NCL and BCL. Here too, we’ve consistently scored 140-plus,” she said.

Despite a 7-0 record against Thailand in T20s, Joty warned against complacency. “Every team is competitive, and every point matters. We’re not taking anyone lightly.”