Sports Desk:

Bangladesh women’s cricket team on Wednesday qualified for the finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a commanding 39-run victory over Thailand at Mulpani in Nepal, sealing a fifth straight win in the qualifiers.

Alongside Bangladesh, the Netherlands also progressed to the flagship ICC event, joining the eight big-hitters Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Two more teams from the qualifiers will advance to the 10th edition of the tournament, slated for June-July in England and Wales.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nigar Sultana’s side posted a competitive 165 for eight in 20 overs — their fourth-highest total in T20 Internationals.

The innings recovered from an early shock as opener Dilara Akter fell for a golden duck and Sharmin Akhter Supta (11) soon followed.

Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary then seized control, adding 110 runs off 82 balls to lay the foundation.

Juairiya struck 56 from 45 balls, hitting four sixes and three fours. Sobhana was even more dominant, hammering 59 from 42 deliveries to earn the Player of the Match award, while Ritu Moni added a late 15 off six balls.

Thailand never recovered after Marufa Akter dismissed the opener Suwanan Khiaoto on the first ball of their chase. Marufa took three wickets for 25, while Ritu and Shorna Akter bagged two each.

Bangladesh now top the Super Six table with six points and a net run rate of 1.15.

The women in red and green will travel to Kirtipur for Friday’s clash against Scotland before rounding off their campaign in Mulpani against the Dutch on Sunday.