New Zealand secure first win at ICC Women's World Cup after beating Bangladesh

Brooke Halliday struck 69 and captain Sophie Devine scored 63 as New Zealand posted a total of 227-9  in their 50 overs after electing to bat at the toss.

Bangladesh never got close to the target as seamers Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu picked up three wickets apiece to limit the Asian side to 127 all out.

After taking first strike after Devine called correctly at the toss, Georgia Plimmer failed to get going and was stumped for four from 18 balls off the bowling of Rabeya Khan, as Bates fell two balls later, run out for 29 after a mix-up between her and Amelia Kerr.

The next wicket also came in a Rabeya over, as the leg-break bowler dismissed Kerr with a fantastic delivery that sent the bails flying and reduced the White Ferns to 38-3.

But, just as they had done against South Africa, Devine and Halliday batted New Zealand out of trouble, choosing singles over attempts at boundaries.

Halliday passed fifty for the first time at this World Cup, smacking a Nishita Akter Nishi free hit for four before hitting Shorna Akter for a maximum in the next over.

New Zealand ramped up the scoring from there, but eventually Bangladesh got a breakthrough as Fahima invited a swipe from Halliday, who was safely caught by Nigar Sultana Joty for 69 from 104 balls.

For the third World Cup game in a row, Devine passed fifty, bringing this one up with a six, before another followed as the skipper looked to reserve energy.

However, her next big swing saw her bowled by Nishita for 63 with New Zealand well-placed but wanting more at 179 for five with 6.2 overs to go.

Rabeya got her third wicket of the match as she got Maddy Green stumped for 25 and there was a second run out during her bowling stint off the very next delivery as Jess Kerr rued going for a speculative single.

New Zealand were still able to push the run rate up but saw Rosemary Mair become the third stumping of the game before Izzy Gaze was bowled by Marufa.    Bangladesh were going to need their second-highest ever chase in order to win but got off to a slow start.

Sharmin Akter was bowled by Mair for three, with Bangladesh having made just seven runs in 25 balls.

Rubya Haider followed three overs and six runs later before Sobhana Mostary became the third batter to depart for a low single-figure score as the Tigresses slipped to 22-3.

With skipper Joty at the crease, there was hope, but when she went for four from 28 balls, Bangladesh lost several wickets without making much headway in their chase.

Sumaiya Akter and Shorna then departed for one run each as they were both dismissed by Lea Tahuhu on her 100th ODI appearance to leave Bangladesh at 33-6.

Nahida provided the first boundary of Bangladesh's innings and moved their total past 50 runs before she was forced to depart as she sent a flat shot to Eden Carson for Mair's second wicket.

Fahima continued the effort for Bangladesh as she became the first batter to pass 20 and overturned an LBW decision on 22.

She was well supported by Rabeya until she was caught on 25 to end a 44-run partnership, while Fahima was the final wicket to fall with her side 101 runs short of their target.

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