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Bangladesh face Scotland in the curtain-raiser of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which has been moved to the UAE due to civil unrest in Bangladesh, the original hosts.
DATE & TIME: Thursday 3rd October, 2024: UAE – 2:00pm / USA (PST) – 3:00am / USA (EST) - 6:00am / UK – 11:00am / South Africa - 12:00pm / India – 3:30pm / Pakistan– 3:00pm / Bangladesh – 4:00pm / Australia – 8:00pm
VENUE: Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah, UAE
WEATHER: Extremely hot temperatures with bright sunshine and highs of 37c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Nagorik TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco, Tamasha & Shoq / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Toffee / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR THE 2024 ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP: Click here for the latest ticket information for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
BANGLADESH FORM: HOME ADVANTAGE TAKEN OFF TIGERS
The worry from a Bangladesh perspective is whether their players can handle the transition of going from what was going to be a home tournament, to instead playing in front of precious little fans in the UAE. Such a turn of events will have proven very difficult for their squad to accept, as was admitted by Tigers captain Nigar Sultana Joty
SCOTLAND FORM: DARK HORSES COULD BE SET TO SPRING A SURPRISE
Scotland are a team very much on the up and very much seen as a team capable of making a deep run across this competition in what is their first ever ICC major tournament. The Bryce sisters are key pillars of the side, all-rounder Kathryn captaining the team, whilst Sarah keeps wicket. Sunrisers spin-bowler Abtaha Maqsood could also play an important role for the Scots if selected.
BANGLADESH BETTING ANALYSIS
When assessing Bangladesh squad and who is likely to make a decisive impact on a ground such as Sharjah, you immediately look towards their spin bowlers. Specifically slow-left-armer Nahida Akter, who needs just one wicket to reach 100 scalps in T20i cricket, a wonderful achievement playing for one of the non-major Test nations. She would become the first ever women’s cricketer to achieve the feat for Bangladesh and the expectation is that she’ll pick up more than just one wicket here. Back Akter to finish as the Tigers’ top bowler.
SCOTLAND BETTING ANALYSIS
Following an excellent domestic campaign as skipper of the Blaze which saw them lead the side to a Charlotte Edwards Cup trophy, Kathryn Bryce offers huge value with both bat and ball. But it’s with the bat in particular where they will need to be at her best here. The heat will be something these Scottish players aren’t used to but Bryce’s skill is good enough to see her overcome that obstacle. Consider backing her to score over 18.5 match runs.
BANGLADESH VS SCOTLAND EXPERT PREDICTION
Whilst Scotland are in a promising position when it comes to potentially marking their inaugural major ICC tournament fixture with victory, both the conditions and the pitch really do play into Bangladesh’s hands here. The Scotland players are likely to struggle to produce their best skills in searing heat and Bangladesh’s spinners are significantly more experienced when it comes to playing on surfaces such as Sharjah. With that in mind, consider backing the Tigers to gain victory.
BANGLADESH VS SCOTLAND TOP TIP: BANGLADESH TO WIN