Australia defeated Bangladesh by two wickets in a nervy contest to avenge their defeat in the 2023 tournament.

Having been put into bat, Bangladesh were building slowly before two wickets for Eleanor Larosa saw them slip to 18 for three in the fourth over.Afia Ashima Era was the lynchpin for Bangladesh, departing on the final ball of the innings having scored 29 with three boundaries as Bangladesh posted 91 for nine.

In their chase, Ines McKeon scored three boundaries in a row before being run out for 14 having survived being dropped on the same delivery in an eventful third over.Australia picked up regular boundaries thanks to Lucy Hamilton but lost five wickets for 17 runs as Jannatul Maoua took three huge wickets.

Bangladesh were in the ascendancy but nerves of steel from Ella Briscoe and Tegan Williamson saw Australia squeak home with four balls to spare.

Scores in brief

Australia v Bangladesh – UKM YSD Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bangladesh 91/9 in 20 overs (Afia Ashima Era 29, Mst Sumaiya Akther Suborna 13; Tegan Williamson 2/12, Caoimhe Bray 2/18)

Australia 92/8 in 19.2 overs (Lucy Hamilton 30, Kate Pelle 16; Jannatul Maoua 3/15, Habiba Islam Pinky 1/12)