The Bangladesh Women’s cricket team won a thrilling 1-run match against Sri Lanka in their final warm-up game before the ICC Women’s World Cup. Their first practice match against South Africa was washed out, but the Tigresses made the most of their second chance, defending 242 runs in a tense finish.

Batting first, Bangladesh lost opener Fargana Hoque early for just 1 run. But a steady 90-run partnership between Rubya Haider (33 off 52) and Sharmin Akhter helped the team build a good foundation. Sharmin was the star with the bat, scoring 71 runs off 101 balls with seven boundaries.

Captain Nigar Sultana added 20 runs, while Sumaiya Akter contributed 38 off 42 balls. In the final overs, Fahima Khatun (26* off 35) and Rabeya Khan (10* off 4) helped Bangladesh reach a strong total of 242/8 in 50 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka struggled early as captain Chamari Athapaththu scored only 8 before being bowled by Marufa Akter. The visitors slipped to 86/4, but a partnership between Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva gave them some hope.

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Bangladesh Bat First and Set 242

After winning the toss, Bangladesh chose to bat first. Sri Lanka started well when a beautiful inswinging delivery from Udeshika Prabodhani dismissed Farzana Haque on the first ball of the second over.

Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akter then steadied the innings with a 90-run partnership. Kaveesha Dilhari struck for Sri Lanka, taking the wickets of Rubya Haider and Sobhana Mostary in quick succession.

After the halfway stage, the Sri Lankan bowlers kept things tight. They did not allow Bangladesh to build big partnerships and took wickets regularly. Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, and Kaveesha Dilhari each took two wickets. Bangladesh reached 242/8, mainly thanks to Sharmin Akter’s 71.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thrilling Finish as Bangladesh Win by 1 Run

In reply, Silva’s fighting 75-run knock brought excitement to the game, but she fell in the 49th over to Nahida Akter, leaving the match very close. Sri Lanka needed 10 runs off the final over but collapsed under pressure, losing two wickets and getting all out for 241 on the last ball.

For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter was excellent, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs in 10 overs. Fahima Khatun and Marufa Akter took two wickets each, while Nishi and Rabeya Khan took one wicket each.

Both teams will now play in the World Cup. Sri Lanka will face India in Guwahati on September 30, and Bangladesh will play Pakistan in Colombo on October 2.

Bangladesh women’s cricket has witnessed a historic moment as Fariha Trisna clinched her second hat-trick in a dramatic showdown against Australia in the second T20I of the series. The match, held in Mirpur, unfolded with high stakes as both teams aimed for victory.

The Match Scenario

Opting to bat first, Australia faced an early setback with the dismissal of Phoebe Litchfield. However, Grace Harris and Georgia Wareham’s resilient partnership steadied the innings, propelling the Australian score to 91 runs.

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Despite the promising start, Bangladesh’s bowlers displayed determination, claiming wickets at regular intervals. The game’s climax unfolded in the last over, when Ellyse Perry’s aggressive batting seemed to tilt the momentum in Australia’s favor. Nevertheless, Fariha Trisna rose to the occasion, stunning spectators with her remarkable feat. She dismantled Australia’s batting lineup with three consecutive wickets, dismissing Perry, Sophie Molineux, and Beth Mooney.

Fariha Trisna’s Performance

Trisna’s bowling masterclass restricted Australia to a formidable total of 161/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Her figures of 4/19, coupled with a maiden over, showcased her skill and resilience on the field. This remarkable achievement marked the fifth hat-trick in women’s cricket for the year, solidifying Trisna’s status as a standout performer. She sent back Perry, Sophie Molineux and Beth Mooney off the last three deliveries of the innings to register fifth hat-trick in Women’s cricket this year.

Bangladesh’s Challenge

With Bangladesh trailing 0-1 in the series, the pressure was on to secure a crucial victory in the second T20I. Having suffered a clean sweep in the preceding ODIs, Bangladesh aimed to turn the tide in their favor. Trisna’s heroics with the ball injected hope and optimism into the team, fueling their determination to salvage the series.

Fariha Trisna’s historic hat-trick against Australia exemplifies the spirit of resilience and perseverance in Bangladesh women’s cricket. Her exceptional performance not only etched her name in the annals of cricketing history but also inspired her teammates and fans alike.

Earlier, this Bangladeshi left arm pacer bagged an hat-trick on her T20I debut in Asia Cup 2022 against Malaysia. Fariha Tirsna dismissed Winifred Duraisingam on 5(19), Mas Elysa on 0(1) and Mahira Izzati on 0(1). Bangladesh won massive 88 Run Victory against Malaysia.

Australian skipper Alyssa Healy is confident that the experience gained in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be invaluable for her team as they prepare to face Bangladesh in an upcoming series. With the pitches in Bangladesh expected to be similar to those in the WPL, Healy believes her team will be well-prepared, especially with seven players fresh from their WPL commitments. She emphasized the importance of adapting quickly to the low and slow conditions, highlighting the communication and experience within the team as key factors in overcoming any challenges.

Acknowledging the modern demands of cricket, Healy expressed excitement about the rare opportunity to play against Bangladesh, particularly for those experiencing it for the first time. She stressed the need for Australia’s batting unit to counter spin effectively, emphasizing an adaptive approach rather than a defensive one. Healy sees the challenge of facing Bangladesh as an opportunity for growth and welcomed the chance to experience new conditions and opposition.

Reflecting on Bangladesh’s strengths, Healy pointed out their skilled bowling attack, particularly their spinners, which she believes poses a significant threat to teams not accustomed to subcontinental conditions. She praised Bangladesh’s progress in women’s cricket, noting their emergence as a formidable team in the ODI Women’s Championship and the positive impact it has on the global growth of the sport.

Adapting to Subcontinental Conditions

Meanwhile, Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana is optimistic about her team’s performance following a competitive series against India, which boosted their confidence and visibility in world cricket.

She emphasized the importance of showcasing individual talents within her team and expressed determination to compete against Australia, acknowledging them as world champions and a benchmark for women’s cricket. Despite recognizing Australia’s superiority, Nigar highlighted the increasing support and attention towards women’s cricket in Bangladesh, which she believes will inspire more girls to pursue the sport professionally.

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Both Healy and Nigar are gearing up for a competitive series, each acknowledging the challenges and opportunities it presents for their respective teams. While Healy focuses on preparation and adaptation, Nigar emphasizes the growth and potential of women’s cricket in Bangladesh, aiming to make a mark against the reigning champions.

Fixtures

ODI Series:

• March 21: 1st ODI at Mirpur
• March 24: 2nd ODI at Mirpur
• March 27: 3rd ODI at Mirpur

T20I Series:

• March 31: 1st T20I at Mirpur
• April 2: 2nd T20I at Mirpur
• April 4: 3rd T20I at Mirpur