New Zealand captain Sophie Devine once again proved her class and leadership, guiding her side to a commanding 100-run win over Bangladesh in the Women’s World Cup clash held in Guwahati on Friday. The victory marked New Zealand’s first of the tournament after a difficult start that saw them suffer back-to-back defeats against Australia and South Africa on sluggish Indian pitches.
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Opting to bat first, the Kiwis found themselves under early pressure at 38-3, but Devine, known for her calm under fire, steadied the innings with a gritty 63 off 85 balls. Her partnership with Brooke Halliday was the turning point of the match — a crucial 112-run stand that transformed a shaky start into a formidable total. Halliday top-scored with 69, striking five fours and a six in a composed display that complemented her captain’s resilience.
Devine’s innings was not just an exhibition of skill but of determination. Managing Type 1 diabetes, she had to briefly pause her innings mid-way to check her blood sugar levels. “It’s always a bit of a balancing act,” she admitted afterward. “I had to take a few jelly beans and some coke to get going. It wasn’t the prettiest innings, but sometimes you’ve got to do it ugly.” Despite the challenge, her knock, laced with two fours and two sixes, gave New Zealand the backbone they desperately needed.
Veteran Suzie Bates also showed signs of a return to form. After consecutive ducks in the first two matches, she managed a lively 29 off 24 balls with six boundaries before an unfortunate run-out ended her innings prematurely. Her contribution, though brief, added momentum to the innings at a crucial time.
Bangladesh, chasing a challenging target, crumbled under pressure. Their top order failed to find rhythm, with none of the top five batters reaching double figures. It took them 15 overs to hit their first boundary, highlighting their struggles against New Zealand’s disciplined attack. Jess Kerr was exceptional with the new ball, finishing with figures of 3-21, while Lea Tahuhu kept up the pressure with 3-22.
The only bright spot for Bangladesh came from leg-spinner Fahima Khatun, who fought a lone battle with a determined 34 before falling as the final wicket — skying a delivery from Eden Carson to extra cover. Her effort wasn’t enough to prevent Bangladesh from folding well short of the target, sealing New Zealand’s emphatic victory.
After this result, New Zealand climbed to fifth place in the eight-team standings, level on points with Bangladesh but ahead on net run rate. The White Ferns now look to build on their newfound confidence as they prepare for upcoming fixtures in Colombo against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, followed by key encounters in India against the hosts and England.
Reflecting on the defeat, Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana admitted her side’s batting inconsistency remained their biggest challenge. “Our batting is not consistent. The lower order has done a decent job, but the top order needs to shoulder more responsibility,” she said. Her team will now face a daunting schedule, with matches lined up against South Africa and Australia in Visakhapatnam before concluding their campaign against Sri Lanka and India in Mumbai.
For New Zealand, this win was not just about points — it was about belief. After two tough losses, the team rediscovered its rhythm, led by a captain who continues to inspire with both her performance and perseverance. As Sophie Devine and her side move forward, they will carry the momentum of this crucial win, knowing that consistency and composure will be key to their World Cup journey ahead.
