Bangladesh Women vs Papua New Guinea Women, 5th Match, Group A

As the ICC Womens T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 progresses, the 5th Match in Group A sees Bangladesh Women lock horns with Papua New Guinea Women at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground. Bangladesh Women come into this fixture with a considerably stronger track record and recent form. They have shown consistent performance in both batting and bowling departments, with experienced players leading the way. Bangladesh's middle order and spin attack have proved effective in subcontinental conditions, which are expected here. Conversely, Papua New Guinea Women are relative underdogs in this contest, possessing emerging talent but lacking depth and experience in high-pressure games. Their key players have had sporadic moments of brilliance but have struggled against higher quality opposition, especially in the bowling unit, which could be a concern. Historically, head-to-head encounters heavily favor Bangladesh with multiple wins on record, reflecting their dominance. Strategically, Bangladesh will look to capitalize on powerplay overs with aggressive stroke-play, then consolidate through key all-rounders. The spin bowling could play a decisive role on this pitch. Papua New Guinea, in contrast, may focus on tight bowling spells and counter-attacking batting to unsettle Bangladesh’s rhythm. Given the form, experience, and conditions, Bangladesh Women head into this match as favorites but cannot underestimate Papua New Guinea’s fighting spirit. #### AI suggested match winner Bangladesh Women: 75%, Papua New Guinea Women: 25%

If Bangladesh Women bat first, they are likely to post a competitive total around 150-160 runs given their strong batting lineup and the expected pitch conditions that assist stroke-making in the first innings. The batters are adept at rotating the strike and hitting boundaries, which will be crucial. On the other hand, if Papua New Guinea Women take charge with the bat initially, a total of around 120-130 runs is probable. Their middle order has shown promise, but they might find it tough to maintain momentum against quality bowling on this surface. Slow scoring phases and potential early wickets may restrict them to a sub-130 tally, putting extra pressure on their chase.

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground traditionally offers a balanced pitch that supports both batsmen and spinners. The surface tends to be slow and low, favoring teams with strong spin options. The average first-innings score at this venue in recent T20 matches is around 145 runs, with teams batting first winning approximately 55% of games, indicating a slight advantage for setting a target. Weather forecast for match day suggests clear skies with temperatures around 24-26°C and moderate humidity, ideal for cricket. Among the two competing teams, Bangladesh's spinner Nahida Akter holds the best bowling figures on this ground with a 4-for haul in a previous match, while their batter Fargana Hoque has made the highest individual score of 65 runs here. Papua New Guinea's standout performer at this venue is batter Natasha Ambo, who scored a fighting 45 in past encounters. These records highlight the impact of top performers who can sway the match outcome at this ground.

Matches Played	Bangladesh Women Won	Papua New Guinea Women Won
4	4	0

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
Bangladesh Women	W, W, W, L, W
Papua New Guinea Women	L, L, W, L, L

Fargana Hoque (Bangladesh Women) - In recent games, Fargana has been a reliable top-order batter, accumulating crucial runs with a strike rate above 110, crucial for setting up strong totals.

Nahida Akter (Bangladesh Women) - Nahida has impressed with her economical spin bowling and wicket-taking ability, recently taking multiple key wickets to stem opposition scoring.

Salma Khatun (Bangladesh Women) - As an all-rounder, Salma has contributed valuable runs down the order and effective medium pace bowling in recent fixtures.

Natasha Ambo (Papua New Guinea Women) - Natasha’s aggressive batting has been a highlight for PNG, providing quick starts and fighting innings even in tough situations.

Rilav Padhe (Papua New Guinea Women) - Padhe offers useful seam bowling options and has chipped in with important lower-order runs in recent matches.

Hilan Apo (Papua New Guinea Women) - Apo has shown potential in the middle order and with disciplined bowling spells, often trying to contain runs in crucial phases.