Defending champions Australia and fellow heavyweights England got off to winning starts at the Women's T20 World Cup on Saturday, managing to handle the intense heat and humidity in Sharjah.
Australia kicked off their title defense with a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, while England defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs. Megan Schutt made history by equaling the highest number of wickets for a bowler in Women's T20 World Cup history. The pace bowler's figures of 3-12 brought her level with former South African quick Shabnim Ismail on 43 wickets. Schutt's performance limited Sri Lanka to 93-7, a target that Australia's batters comfortably surpassed with 34 balls remaining, despite losing four wickets.
Opener Beth Mooney, the player of the tournament in the 2023 edition, remained unbeaten on 43, frequently taking hydration breaks to cope with the heat. 'In the heat it was tough,' said player of the match Schutt. 'I think 'Moons' lost about 16 kilos out there. I think we've finally acclimatised because I didn't feel like I would die today. We've played in hot conditions before. It is what it is, got to suck up and get on with it.'
Sri Lanka suffered their second loss in the tournament and are yet to secure a victory against Australia in women's T20 matches. 'We are struggling on these tracks with low turn and bounce,' said Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu. 'Our first four batters struggled and that cost us. I hope we will improve in our next game (against India on Wednesday) and our girls will perform well in Dubai.'
Australia, playing their first match since the retirement of four-time winning captain Meg Lanning, continue to be favorites for a seventh title in the tournament. Meanwhile, spinners Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean each took two wickets as England overcame Bangladesh.
England's strategy to field four spinners proved effective as the 2009 champions restricted Bangladesh to 97-7, successfully defending their lowest total in T20 World Cups. England had posted 118-7, with opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge scoring a 40-ball 41, earning her the player of the match award. Middle-order batter Sobhana Mostary was Bangladesh's lone performer, scoring 44 off 48 balls, including a significant six off Dean over deep square leg.
The result was a setback for Bangladesh, who had secured their first T20 World Cup win in a decade by defeating Scotland in the tournament opener on Thursday. 'We missed a good opportunity to beat a good side. Our bowlers did a good job but our batters disappointed,' said Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana. England skipper Heather Knight commented, 'It was tough out there, conditions were tough for batting and boundary-hitting. Wyatt-Hodge and (Maia) Bouchier did well.'
On Sunday, India and Pakistan will face off in what is expected to be the tournament's standout match so far, followed by a clash between winless teams Scotland and West Indies, both games taking place in Dubai.
