New Zealand have scrambled to a 17-run win in their women's Twenty20 World Cup match against Bangladesh at Junction Oval in Melbourne.
Hayley Jensen Photo: Photosport
The White Ferns looked comfortable at 66-2, despite losing openers Sophie Devine for 12 and Rachel Priest for 25. But once Suzie Bates was clean bowled for 15 by Ritu Moni (4-18) in the 13th over, things went rapidly downhill for the New Zealanders as they lost their last eight wickets for 25 runs.
In reply, Bangladesh were well in the game at 31-2 but lost key batter Nigar Sultana, retired hurt after a top edge cannoned into her helmet.
The 22-year-old wicketkeeper returned later, but the game had slipped away from Bangladesh by then as they lost 7-27 and were bowled out in the final over.
Hayley Jensen and Leigh Kasperek both picked up three-wicket bags, Jensen returning impressive figures of 3-11 and Kasperek 3-23.
Skipper Devine said afterwards that she'd been pleased with her team's poise in defending a sub-par total.
"Bangladesh bowled really well on that pitch but I thought we were really calm in the dressing room and we just had to do what we needed to," she said.
"We learned from what Bangladesh did, bowling straight and making the batters make mistakes and then we know what our spinners, Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek, can do."
New Zealand's next game is on Monday, when they need to beat Australia to make the top two in their pool and advance to the semi-finals