After finishing the T20I series on a high by winning the last game, Bangladesh Women registered their first-ever win against India Women in the 50-over format.
In a rain-marred encounter at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Dhaka, the hosts did not have a lot of runs to defend after they managed only 152 all out in 43 overs, but their bowlers stepped up against a packed Indian batting line-up to take them over the line, but were all out for 113 in a game that was reduced to 44 overs a side due to rain.
India's Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss earlier and asked Bangladesh to bat first. The decision paid dividends in the powerplay overs, with Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma totally locking the batters, giving them no room to work with. The first breakthrough came in the 7th over courtesy of a mix-up between the openers, as Sharmin Akhter ran herself out.
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Amanjot then doubled the misery for Bangladesh, dismissing Murshida Khatun. Skipper Nigar Sultana joined Fargana Hoque in the middle and the duo put up a valuable stand. They addressed the danger with caution and kept building the partnership with great patience, helping the side go past three figures on a challenging track to bat on.
The Indian bowlers picked up momentum with the wicket of Fargana Hoque, a breakthrough provided by Amanjot. Sultana kept the ship sailing, but there was little support at the other end. Sultana Khatun and Fatima Khatun added some vital runs towards the end for the hosts, taking Bangladesh just past the 150-mark.
They were bowled out for 152 in 43 overs and the Indian bowlers’ inconsistency with their line cost them plenty as well. They conceded 19 wides, and it is an area they will need to address ahead of the Asian Games and the World Cup next year. Amanjot was the pick of the bowlers returning with four wickets, while Devika Vaidya returned with a brace.
The bowlers step up for Bangladesh Women
The target was revised to 154 as the match was reduced to 44 overs. Smriti Mandhana got the side off to a terrific start with a couple of boundaries, but her stay was cut short by Marufa Akter. The southpaw edged it straight to the keeper and skipper Sultana made no mistake. In her opening spell, she picked up another wicket from the other opener Priya Punia while Nadia Akter finished the powerplay with the big scalp of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
Another of the Indian batters who got a start, Yastika Bhatia, fell prey to the brilliance of Rabeya Khan, who castled the visiting batter over with a peach. Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti stitched a short-little partnership to keep India alive, but Bangladesh continued to pile on the pressure with some tight bowling.
Congratulations Bangladesh Women’s Team! ✨
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) July 16, 2023
First-ever ODI win over India pic.twitter.com/4Roo4B7x1Y
India started losing control over the game after the departure of Rodrigues and soon, Marufa returned to the attack and produced a double blow for the Tigresses. Amanjot, who battled hard to get her 15, edged it to the keeper while Sneh Rana departed off the first ball she faced.
Vaidya tried to steer the side with the help of the tailenders, but the hosts managed to see through the finish line and picked up a magnificent 40-run victory. Marufa, who returned with figures of 4/29, was named player of the match as Bangladesh Women celebrated a historic win.
Brief scores
– 152 all out in 43 overs (Nigar Sultana 39, Amanjot Kaur 4/31)
Player of the match: Marufa Akter
