Patidar, Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar praise team culture as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defend their crown

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Heather Siegers produced a match-winning all-round performance to help the Netherlands women’s cricket team secure their first-ever Women’s T20I victory over the Bangladesh women’s cricket team, sealing an eight-run win in the tri-series clash in Edinburgh.

The 29-year-old played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, scoring a composed half-century to guide the Netherlands to 162 for 5 before claiming three wickets in a tense finish to deny Bangladesh a successful chase.

After being asked to bat first, the Dutch made an excellent start through Siegers and Phebe Molkenboer, who added 57 runs for the opening wicket. Bangladesh fought back through left-arm seamer Fariha Trisna, but late cameos from captain Babette de Leede and Robine Rijke powered the Netherlands to a competitive total, with 45 runs coming in the final four overs.

Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start as they slipped to 13 for 2 inside the first four overs. Captain Nigar Sultana then mounted a lone resistance, striking 73 from 49 balls and bringing up her 12th T20I half-century.

However, wickets continued to tumble around her. Silver Siegers chipped in with two wickets through her leg-spin, leaving Bangladesh with too much to do in the closing stages.

Needing 18 runs from the final over, Bangladesh still had hope with Sultana at the crease. But Heather Siegers took control, dismissing Ritu Moni and then removing Sultana before claiming another wicket off the final ball to complete a memorable victory.

The defeat marked Bangladesh’s second consecutive setback in the tri-series, coming just a day after they suffered their first-ever Women’s T20I loss to the Scotland women’s cricket team.

For the Netherlands, meanwhile, the result represents a landmark achievement and one of the most significant victories in the history of their women’s cricket programme.