The Bangladesh Under-19 women’s team made a winning start in the ICC Women’s World Cup as they registered a commanding 7-wicket win over Australia in the opening tie of the marquee competition at Benoni, South Africa, on Saturday.

Dilara Akter's 42-ball 40 and Sumaiya Akter's unbeaten 31 off 25 balls helped the young tigresses to take the side to 132-3 with 12 balls to spare, chasing down a modest 130-5 in a 20-over game.

Disha Biswas and Marufa Akter were the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, picking up two wickets each.

For the Aussies, Claire Moore scored the highest score of 52 off 51 balls, while Ella Hayward finished with a 39-ball 35.

Batting first, Australia lost their opening pair for a staggering 22 in 3.3 overs.

However, in the second wicket stand, Moore and Hayward shared a pivotal 72 runs to pull the side beyond 100 before they were dismissed by Rabeya Khatun and Marufa, respectively, leaving the side at 102-5.

In reply, Bangladesh also made a shaky start after they lost their opener Misty Shaha for a duck that limited them to 1-0 at the very outset.

Then Afia Prottasha and Dila Akter formed a crucial 65-run partnership to curb the early damage, followed by an undefeated 61-run stand between Shorna Akter and Sumaiya to get the young Tigresses to the target in 18 overs.