USA prevail in thrilling one-run win

USA Women beat Zimbabwe Women in a thrilling encounter in Mirpur, prevailing by just one run. A contribution of 72 off 89 balls from wicketkeeper Shebani Bhaskar was the backbone of USA's score of 188. Bhaskar was the seventh wicket to fall with the score on 144, but Anahita Arora and Sara Farooq added a further 44 to lend some respectability to the total.

USA didn't do themselves any favours by bowling too many extras in the chase but made up for that by picking up wickets. The highest score in the Zimbabwe response was an unbeaten 28 from Christabel Chatonzwa; six batsmen in all reached double-figures. There were 33 extras in all, but the wickets fell in quick succession at the same time. At 172 for 7 in the 46th over, it was still Zimbabwe's game but seamer Triholder Marshall and a couple of run-outs at the death clinched the game for USA. Marshall picked up three wickets, was involved in a run-out in the 48th over of the game while Bhaskar sealed the win with a run-out, catching Sharyce Saili short with two needed for victory. Zimbabwe will rue the fact that they lost the game with seven balls to spare with a set batsman at one end.

Ireland Women slipped to their third defeat of the competition, losing to Bangladesh Women by 95 runs in Savar. They managed to restrict Bangladesh to 209 for 7 in an innings that included five run-outs. Opener Suktara Rahaman made 47 while captain Salma Khatun led the way with 73. As it turned out, the score proved more than sufficient. Ireland were in a good position at 68 for 1 in the 17th over but the innings soon fell apart. Offspinner Khadiza tul Kubra dismissed top-scorer Cecilia Joyce for 44 and finished with six wickets as the rest of the Ireland line-up failed to offer any significant resistance. They were bowled out for 114.

West Indies Women preserved their position at the top of Group B by thrashing Japan Women by 10 wickets in Fatullah. Stafanie Taylor starred with the ball this time, taking 5 for 13 as Japan were bowled out for 71. In response, the win was sealed in 16.3 overs, the openers Kycia Knight (24*) and Britney Cooper (36*) seeing West Indies through. Japan bowled 15 wides.

South Africa Women's new-ball pair of Shabnim Ismail and Moseline Daniels demolished Netherlands Women for 36 to help their side to a whopping 233-run win in Savar.

South Africa chose to bat and all their top and middle order got into double figures to set-up a competitive total of 269 for 5. Mignon du Preez and Cri-Zelda Brits top scored with 65 and 63 respectively. Offspinner Esther de Lange was the pick of the Netherlands' bowlers, with figures of 10-1-45-3. Netherlands got nowhere close in their reply. Ismail struck in the first over, and went on to claim a career-best 6 for 10. Daniels also put on a career-best performance, picking up the other four wickets for 25 runs. Just one of the Netherlands batsmen managed to get into double figures: No. 5 Esther Lanser remained unbeaten on 11 as her team crumbled around her.