Fahima’s hat-trick fires Bangladesh women to T20 WC qualifier semis with UAE win

Fahima Khatun has become the first Bangladeshi female cricketer to hit a T20I hat-trick – a feat that has helped her team beat the UAE by eight wickets to reach the semi-finals of ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier 2018 in the Netherlands.

It was the second hat-trick in Bangladesh Women’s cricket history. The other leg spinner, Rumana Ahmed, earned the first one in ODI against Ireland in 2016.

Nisha Ali was the first victim of Fahima in her second over at Utrecht on Tuesday.

Fahima claimed the scalps of Udeni Dona, Esha Rohit and Kavisha Egodage to claim her hat-trick in her third over.

Both Ali and Dona tried to sweep but were caught at deep square leg while Egodage was trapped lbw.

Opener Rohit put some resistance before being out for 18.

The UAE could struggle to a paltry 39, which Bangladesh crossed by losing only two wickets to top their group.

It is the lowest score of any team against Bangladesh in T20I. The previous lowest of 42 was made by the Netherlands in the same tournament on Sunday.

Rumana and Nahida Akhter took two wickets against the UAE.

Nigar Sultana was unbeaten on 21 when she hit the winning run. Sanjida Islam made 15.

Fahima’s hat-trick is the eighth one in women’s T20I cricket. Asmavia Iqbal of Pakistan claimed the first one against England in 2012.

Fahima was named Player of the Match for her fantastic figure of 4 for 8.

She was also the Player of the Match against the Netherlands with another stallar performance of 3 for 3.

Favourites Bangladesh face Scotland in the semi-finals on Thursday.

A win over Scotland will guarantee their spot in the ICC World T20.