T20 WC qualifier: Tigresses unbeaten champions

Bangladesh emerged as unbeaten champions in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers, beating Ireland by seven runs in the final at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Opener Fargana Hoque's 55-ball 61 and an all-round performance from Rumana Ahmed saw the Tigresses restrict Ireland to 113 for nine after posting a modest 120 for eight on the board. 

Irish all-rounder Arlene Kelly threatened to take the game away from the Tigresses with an unbeaten 24-ball 28 late in the final but Nigar Sultana's troops managed to hold their nerves and get the job done. 

Defending a small total, Bangladesh got off to a flying start as spinners Sanjida Akter and Nahida Akter got early breakthroughs.

Rumana got the crucial wickets of Eimear Richardson (18 off 15) and Ireland skipper Laura Delany (12 off 22) in the middle to leave then reeling at 58 for seven in 12.3 overs. Rumana ended with figures of three for 24 in four overs.

Earlier, Fargana hit her third WT20I fifty, and Rumana played a 20-ball 21-run knock to help Bangladesh post a modest total after electing to bat.

The final only had bragging rights up for grabs as both the finalists -- Bangladesh and Ireland -- already made it into the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa next year.