Sharmin turns a corner with aggressive knock
Tigresses beat Ireland by big margin in ODI series opener
Thursday, 28 November 2024
Bangladesh Women started their ODI series against Ireland with a big 154-run victory at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday, riding on Sharmin Akhter's 96 and a disciplined bowling effort, report agencies.
Bangladesh opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted 252 runs for four wickets, their highest-ever ODI total.
Opener Fargana Hoque anchored the innings with a steady 61 off 110 balls before Sharmin took charge.
Sharmin's knock, featuring 14 boundaries, came off just 89 deliveries. Murshida Khatun (38) and captain Nigar Sultana (28) also contributed well with the bat.
Ireland's bowlers struggled to contain the hosts, with Freya Sargent (2-51) being their best bowler. Laura Delany and Aimee Maguire chipped in with one wicket each, but the Irish attack lacked better bowling against Bangladesh's composed batting.
In response, Ireland faltered early in their chase of 253, losing Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter within the first three overs to pacer Marufa Akter.
Sarah Forbes (25) and Laura Delany (22) attempted to rebuild but found little support as Bangladesh's bowlers continued to dominate.
Sultana Khatun's remarkable spell of 3-23 dismantled the middle order, while Nahida Akter (2-23) and Marufa (2-18) maintained pressure.
Three Irish batters fell to run-outs, further underlining Ireland's struggles. The visitors folded for just 98 runs in 28.5 overs, sealing a comprehensive win for Bangladesh.
The second and third ODIs will take place on November 30 and December 02.
After the ODI series, both the teams will lock horns in a T20I series, begins on December 05, with the second and third T20Is scheduled for December 07, and December 09.
Sultana also commented on the pitch, describing it as unusually batting-friendly for Mirpur, which is typically slow and low.
"I didn't feel today's wicket was slow and low. When they bowled, some deliveries reached chest height. If it was a slow and low wicket, the ball would have stayed below our knees. Maybe there were a few odd deliveries, but the wicket was good. This was a 270-run wicket," she explained.