Ireland and Bangladesh secure ODI status

ICC Cricket : Hosts of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011, Bangladesh, today secured One-day International status for first time for its women's side after Salma Khatun's side beat USA in a low-scoring fixture.Meanwhile, Ireland defeated fellow European qualifier and ODI side Netherlands, to retain its ODI status - the result means that Netherlands has lost its ODI status for the women's side. Bangladesh and Ireland will now face-off on Saturday in the 5th/6th play-off for the tournament at BKSP* 2.In order for all the ODI-qualified sides to maintain its statuses it must play three ODIs and three T20Is in any 12 month period and the statuses will be reviewed at the next ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017.In the semi-final fixtures between the ICC Women's World Cup qualified sides - Pakistan defeated South Africa to secure a place in the final which will be played on Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS).Facing Pakistan will be Merissa' Aguilleira's West Indies after the Americas side beat Sri Lanka in a high-scoring showdown at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium by 58 runs.Sri Lanka will now play South Africa in the 3rd/4th play-off at KSOAS on Saturday.USA and Netherlands will now play each other on Saturday in the 7th/8th play-off at BKSP 3.At the most anticipated match of the day for the hosts, Bangladesh won the toss and Salma made the decision to send the USA into bat - a decision that paid off for the home side.Salma's bowlers proved difficult to score runs off. Doris Francis led from the front for the Americans, top scoring for the team with 23 runs, but the rest of the team struggled to make runs.In-form batter Shebani Bhaskar took 51 balls to make just 13 runs before she departed after being caught and bowled by Suktara Rahaman. Things didn't get much better for USA with Khadiza-Tul Kubra showing her great worth as a spin bowler - the 16-year-old claiming 4-20 in her allotted 10 overs.Kubra dismissed three of the USA's key middle-order batters, Durga Das, Nadia Gruny and Erica Rendler - tempting two of the three into striking the ball into the safe hands of Panna Ghosh and Suktara.Bangladesh's bowling once again proved the winner with the entire USA line-up being bowled out for just 78, but not before Francis' side had played some 47 overs.In response, Bangladesh lost a wicket early on after Ayesha Akhter was dismissed for just nine runs, the 27-year-old being declared leg-before off the bowling of Triholder Marshall. It was then up to Suktara and Fargana Pinky to secure another win for Bangladesh, in addition to a place in the fifth/sixth play-off and the ODI status for the first-ever time.A delighted Bangladesh captain, Salma said: "It feels fantastic to have gained ODI status and it means a lot for Bangladesh women's cricket, things can only get better from here."It was very much a team effort and hopefully we can continue this momentum and beat Ireland on Saturday in our first ODI and finish ninth in the global rankings.Salma's team coach, Mamatha Maben reiterated the team delight at gaining ODI status, "This is the culmination of three months of hard work with the women's side and it has paid off with us gaining ODI status for the country."There is now a minimum amount of cricket the team will have to play, which is great news for the women playing cricket here. I'm sure the BCB will continue its support of the women's game and things can only get better from here. I am very proud of how the whole side has played over the last few weeks and hopefully we can continue on this path and beat Ireland on Saturday," said Mamatha Maben, the Bangladesh coach.In the major European clash of the day at BKSP 3, Helmien Rambaldo's side took on old foes Ireland led by Isobel Joyce which would ultimately see one team walk away without its ODI status.Having won the toss, Rambaldo elected to bat first and the Dutch side managed to amass 139 in its 50 overs during an average bowling performance from the Irish side. Joyce's side gave away some 25 extras but also failed to bowl in the right areas to dismiss the Dutch for less in the first innings.Eimear Richardson claimed two wickets, but the 25-year-old gave away some 34 runs in the process, the most economical of the Irish bowlers being the young Elena Tice who claimed 1-22 in her 10 overs. The Dutch side never managed to get going and the innings never really took off.In response, Ireland's top order failed to fire, struggling against Kerry-Anne Tomlinson and Leonie Bennett and also laboured in reaching its target.That being said, Ireland still managed to finish proceedings off and retain its ODI status midway through the 32nd over. The side will now face Bangladesh in an ODI at BKSP 2 on Saturday.Joyce said: "Those were tough conditions today, the wicket got very slow and The Netherlands were able to take advantage of that with their slower bowlers. We aimed to retain ODI status today so I'm not too disappointed with the team's performance. That being said, we will have to improve if we are to beat Bangladesh and retain ninth place in the global rankings on Saturday."In the semi-final play-off at SBNCS, Pakistan created an upset, beating pre-tournament favourites South Africa. Having come into the tournament ranked fifth in the world, the South Africans are certain to drop down the global rankings after eighth placed Pakistan defeated the side by three wickets.South Africa put on one of its weakest performances in the field so far in the tournament, posting just 180 in its 50 overs, captain Mignon du Preez providing the most runs for the side. Asmavia Iqbal proved the pick of the Pakistani bowling attack as the fast bowler from Multan claimed three wickets for just 15 runs.Asmavia's run with the ball saw the 23-year-old dismiss opener Shandre Fritz, Kirstie Thomson and Sunette Loubser, while Pakistan showed its pace in the field as it ran out three of the South African middle-order.In reply, Pakistan played a patient innings to reach its target of 181, despite losing both Sana Mir and Nida Dar for ducks, the side ensured partnerships were made and Javeria Wadood's healthy contribution of 47 had the side well on its way to defeating Du Preez's team.Fittingly it was up to Asmavia, alongside Marina Iqbal to score the winning runs for Pakistan and secure it a place in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier. Win or lose, Pakistan are guaranteed a rise up the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings at the conclusion of the tournament. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Sana's team can rise to either fifth or sixth in the global rankings.In the other semi-final, at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOAS), West Indies took on Sri Lanka for a place in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier.West Indies took its time to get into the swing of things with the bat after winning the toss and electing to bat and it was a day for Stafanie Taylor, captain Merissa Aguilleira and top-scorer Deandra Dottin.Taylor took to the crease with her usual calm demeanour and to set the Americas side on its way to an impressive total of 235 for five in its 50 overs. Taylor provided early runs, but it was Dottin who put in the performance of the innings, the petite Barbadian hitting 73. Dottin has seen a return to form in this event after a dip in her batting prowess since she scored her maiden T20I century back in 2010 at the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in St Kitts.Aguilleira came down the order today but the batter from Trinidad didn't let that stop her scoring runs, finishing the innings at 52 not out.In reply, Sri Lanka's batters were always going to find it a tough task to chase down a high score and despite a valiant effort by opener Chamani Atthappathu of 47, the rest of the side failed to spark. Anisa Mohammed's off-spin proved key once again for the West Indies bowling attack, Mohammed claimed 3-29 and the important run-out of opener Yashoda Mendis. West Indies' unbeaten run in the tournament continued as Mohammed claimed the seventh wicket, top order batter Inoka Galagedara who came in down the order today and some tight bowling and fielding from the athletic side ensured that by the time the 50th over arrived Sri Lanka were still 58 runs short of the target, despite having wickets in hand.The victory will see West Indies play Pakistan on Saturday in the 1st/2nd play-off, as previously stated, the victor of the match will claim fifth place in the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings which is currently topped by England.Tomorrow is a rest day, with the final matches being played on Saturday, fixtures are listed below.

Upcoming fixtures:


26 November


ODI - Pakistan v West Indies – 1st/2nd play-off - SBNCS

ODI – South Africa v Sri Lanka – 3rd/4th play-off – KSOAS

ODI – Bangladesh v Ireland – 5th/6th play-off – BKSP 2

50-over match – USA v Netherlands – 7th/8th play-off – BKSP 3


Scores in brief – Semi-finals day


At Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (ODI)

South Africa 180-9, 50 overs (Du Preez 41; Asmavia 3-15)

Pakistan 181-7, 47.5 overs (Javeria 47, Marina 28 not out, Asmavia 22 not out; Loubser 2-22)

Pakistan won by three wickets

Player of the Match: Asmavia Iqbal (Pak)


At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (ODI)

West Indies 235-5, 50 overs (Taylor 58, Dottin 73, Aguilleira 52 not out; Ranasinghe 2-31)

Sri Lanka 177-7, 50 overs (Attappathu 56; Mohammed 3-29)

West Indies won by 58 runs

Player of the Match: Deandra Dottin (WI)


At BKSP 2 – ODI status play-off

USA 78 all out, 47.3 overs (Francis 23; Kubra 4-20)

Bangladesh 79-1, 18.5 overs (Suktara 29, Pinky 27)

Bangladesh won by nine wickets

Player of the Match: Khadiza Tul Kubra (Bang)


At BKSP 3 (ODI)

Netherlands 139-9, 50 overs (Tomlinson 34; Richardson 2-34)

Ireland 140-6, 32.3 overs (Whelan 27, Richardson 22)

Ireland won by four wickets

Player of the Match: Eimear Richardson (Ire)

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