New Zealand secured their first victory of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in emphatic fashion, crushing Bangladesh by 100 runs in Guwahati on Friday. The White Ferns, led by captain Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday’s composed half-centuries, produced a strong all-round performance to dominate both with the bat and the ball.
After losing their first two matches, this win came as a much-needed confidence boost for the New Zealand side, as they climbed to fifth place in the tournament standings. The victory also came with a statement — that the White Ferns are still very much in contention for a semifinal spot.
Devine and Halliday lead New Zealand’s fightback
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, New Zealand didn’t have the ideal start. Bangladesh’s bowlers came out firing, applying early pressure and claiming quick wickets to leave the Kiwis struggling at 38 for 3 within the first 11 overs.
Veteran opener Suzie Bates was the first to go after an unfortunate run-out, a blow that rattled the top order. Rabeya Khan then dealt a double strike, removing Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr in quick succession, giving Bangladesh early control of the game.
However, skipper Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday soon took charge, showing calmness and composure when their team needed it most. The duo built a vital partnership, mixing caution with aggression to gradually shift momentum back in New Zealand’s favor.
Their 112-run stand for the fourth wicket not only stabilized the innings but also laid the foundation for a defendable total. Halliday was the more aggressive of the two, rotating the strike efficiently and finding the boundary whenever Bangladesh erred in line or length. She reached her fifty with a fine flick off her pads, showcasing excellent shot selection throughout her innings.
Halliday eventually fell for a well-made 69 off 104 deliveries, featuring five boundaries and a cleanly struck six. Her dismissal in the 39th over to Fahima Khatun ended a partnership that changed the course of the match.
Devine, on the other hand, played a captain’s knock — measured, controlled, and effective. She scored 63 off 85 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before being bowled by Nishita Akter Nishi in the 44th over. Her innings was a reminder of why she remains one of the most dependable batters in world cricket.
Maddy Green provided solid support with a 25-run contribution, helping New Zealand push their total to 227 for 9 by the end of 50 overs — a score that looked competitive on a pitch offering some movement for the bowlers.
Bangladesh’s bowlers shine despite lack of support
Rabeya Khan was undoubtedly the standout performer for Bangladesh’s bowling attack. Her spell of 3 for 30 in 10 overs was economical, intelligent, and full of control. She found turn and bounce, constantly troubling the New Zealand batters.
Fahima Khatun, Nishita Akter Nishi, Nahida Akter, and Marufa Akter each chipped in with one wicket, but Bangladesh’s inability to build sustained pressure after the Devine-Halliday partnership cost them dearly.
Bangladesh falter under pressure
Chasing 228 for victory, Bangladesh needed a solid start, but New Zealand’s bowlers had other plans. From the very beginning, the Kiwi pace attack, led by Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr, dismantled Bangladesh’s top order with accuracy and pace.
Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and never recovered from the early damage. Only Fahima Khatun showed resistance with a gritty 34 off 80 balls, trying to anchor the innings while partners fell around her. Rabeya Khan (25) and Nahida Akter (17) were the only other batters to reach double figures, but their efforts were not enough to mount a serious challenge.
New Zealand’s bowlers kept the pressure on relentlessly, attacking the stumps and maintaining tight field placements. Every time Bangladesh seemed to be settling, another wicket would fall, halting their progress and sinking hopes of a successful chase.
The team was eventually bowled out for 127 in just 39.5 overs, falling a massive 100 runs short of their target.
Tahuhu and Kerr headline a clinical bowling display
Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr were the stars with the ball for New Zealand, taking three wickets each to rip through the Bangladesh lineup. Both bowlers used their variations cleverly, keeping the batters guessing throughout.
Rosemary Mair also made a strong contribution with two wickets, while Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson chipped in with one apiece to complete a truly team-driven bowling effort.
The disciplined display ensured Bangladesh never gained any momentum, while the fielders backed up their bowlers with sharp catching and quick reflexes.
A big boost for New Zealand’s campaign
The dominant win not only gave New Zealand two crucial points but also a significant boost in their net run rate, moving them up to fifth place in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 standings. Both New Zealand and Bangladesh now have two points from three matches, but the White Ferns leapfrogged their opponents due to their superior run rate.
Captain Sophie Devine expressed satisfaction with her team’s comeback performance after a tough start to the tournament.
“It feels great to get that first win,” Devine said after the match. “We were under pressure early, but the way Brooke (Halliday) batted showed real character. Our bowlers were outstanding — everyone contributed, and that’s what we’ve been aiming for.”
Bangladesh left searching for answers
For Bangladesh, the defeat exposed familiar weaknesses — an overreliance on a few key players and the lack of depth in their batting lineup. Despite some positive moments from their spinners, the inability to build partnerships continues to hurt their chances in major tournaments.
Captain Nigar Sultana acknowledged her side’s shortcomings, saying, “We bowled well in patches, but losing early wickets again cost us. We need to bat with more intent and play smarter cricket moving forward.”
Looking ahead
New Zealand will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture, hoping to climb further up the points table and keep their semifinal hopes alive. Their balanced display against Bangladesh — featuring solid batting, sharp bowling, and cohesive teamwork — will give them confidence going forward.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly and address their batting struggles if they want to stay competitive in the tournament.
With the World Cup heating up, New Zealand’s statement victory in Guwahati reminds everyone that the White Ferns are still a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.