Photo: BCB
Bangladesh women’s cricket team saw their wish to play at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium fulfilled, hosting India for a three-match T20I series at the ‘home of cricket’.
It was the Tigresses’ first appearance in 11 years in Mirpur, and they capped off their long wait with a special victory, winning the third T20I yesterday by four wickets with 10 balls to spare. Despite losing the series 2-1, it was an inspiring win for the Tigresses as they helped Bangladesh beat India for only the third time in 16 T20I meetings in front of family members, cheering them on from the stands.
India lost two wickets early to Sultana Kahtun but a 45-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues (28 off 26) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (40 off 41) steadied the ship before Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana’s sharp work behind the stumps led to dismissals of both the batters.
Leg-spinner Rabeya Khan worked her magic in the death overs to finish with three for 16 as India managed just 102 for nine in 20 overs.
In the Asia Cup last year, the Tigresses failed to chase down 41 in seven overs against Sri Lanka and just in the last game against India, despite having five wickets in hand and needing 14 from two overs, the troops of Nigar lost their way.
However, yesterday, Shamima Sultana made the difference at the top with a 42-run knock.
“I was there in the middle with her and I told her ‘Shamima apu you stay at the crease’. Since she can play the shots, I told her to carry on. I told her that if she plays for a long time, the equation would be easy,” Joty said about their 46-run stand.
Despite a solid knock from Shamima, the Tigresses floundered with 18 required in four overs, losing Shamima and Shorna Akter in consecutive deliveries. But unlike the last game, Nahida Akter and Ritu Moni held their nerves.
Nahida identified their plan regarding taking singles as key in the victory.
“The plan from the team was not to hurry and focus on singles. We couldn’t use the opportunity in the last game and I was waiting for another one, and glad that I could make it work today [Thursday],” Nahida, who was seen enjoying some family time with her niece and nephew after the win, told The Daily Star.
Head coach Hashan Tilakratne may have been left a little disappointed with the fact that a similar batting effort in the second T20I could have actually seen Bangladesh clinch the series. However, he noticed a change. “Yeah, [we] could have sealed series but we are levelling up and that’s important,” he told The Daily Star as the Tigresses now gear up for the upcoming three-match ODI series, also to be played in Mirpur, with more audacity.
