Following defeat in a rather one-sided first game, Bangladesh women’s cricket team will be looking to stay alive in the three-match T20I series when they take on India in the second match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
Nigar Sultana Joty and her troops lost the first game by seven wickets after failing to put up a fighting total, with their lack of batting firepower seeing them manage only 114 for five in their full quota of 20 overs.
Despite getting starts, openers Shathi Rani (22) and Shamima Sultana (17) and No. 3 Sobhana Mostary (23) were unable to score big.
According to Tigresses’ head coach Hashan Tillakaratne, the hosts are working on their mistakes, especially in areas such as minimising the amount of dot balls.
“Today we have a meeting where we will discuss about those issues. Yes, we have eaten up 61 dots in the first game which is a big number. Our batting plan is to play 40 dots, so 21 extra is too much. That’s why I said earlier that we need to develop, improve and learn. I am sure we will make a strong comeback tomorrow (Tuesday),” Tillakaratne told the media yesterday.
Questions were raised after selectors dropped a few experienced cricketers for the series, including Fargana Pinky. Murshida Khatun, another top-order batter, was not included in the playing eleven for the first game. The former Sri Lanka batter said that they haven’t closed doors for the others while providing opportunities to youngsters.
“We have a very professional outfit and there’s some good players who are motivated. Yes, we are playing against one of the best teams in the world and we have to understand that,” he said.
