Tigresses sweep ODI series against Ireland

Sharmin Akhter Supta continued her rich vein of form by hitting 72 runs as Bangladesh swept the three-match ODI series against Ireland with a seven-wicket victory in the third and final game at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday, reports BSS.

Bangladesh won the first match by a record 154 runs, their biggest victory in Women's ODI history before registering a five-wicket victory in the second game.

After hitting 96 and 43 in the previous two matches, Supta played another match-winning knock and steered Bangladesh to 186-3 in 37.3 overs, after Ireland were bundled out for 185 in 50 overs.

Supta smashed 11 boundaries in a knock, playing 88 balls. She was ably supported by opener Fargana Hoque Pinky who struck 99 ball-61 with six fours. It was Fargana's second half-century, having hit 50 runs in the second game.

Opener Murshida Khatun continued her bad patch by being out on 8 but that mattered little as Supta and Fargana edged the side closer to victory by sharing 143 runs for the second wicket.

Aimee Maguire removed both set batters in 13 runs to finish with 2-38.

Maguire broke the partnership, firstly by dismissing Fargana and in her immediate next over, she got the better of Supta with Bangladesh just 21 runs away from the victory.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty hit a run-a-ball-18 to help the side seal the deal without any further hassle. Sobhana Mostary was not out on 7.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Ireland rode on skipper Gaby Lewis's 52 to compile a moderate total. Orla Prendergast made 27 while Amy Hunter added 23.

Fahima Khatun was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with 3-43 while Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter took two wickets apiece.