Chasing a modest 167 for win on friday, the right-left combination of Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun put on 125 for the first wicket as Tigress reached down their goal with 26 balls to spare at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. PHOTO: BCB
Openers Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun registered a record opening partnership as hosts Bangladesh women’s cricket team pulled off a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph over the visiting Pakistan women’s team to seal the ODI series by 2-1. It was the third ODI series win for Bangladesh over Pakistan, but the first time in a bilateral series consisting of three matches.
Pakistan won the first match of the series before Bangladesh women’s team produced a stunning comeback with a Super Over win in the second ODI, and the seven-seven-wicket victory in the third match.
Pakistan continue to be second on the ICC Women's Championship table while Bangladesh are placed sixth – with only three points separating the two sides.
Chasing a modest 167 for win on friday, the right-left combination of Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun put on 125 for the first wicket as Tigress reached down their goal with 26 balls to spare at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Earlier, Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 26 runs while leg-spinner Rabeya Khan got two wickets for 35 as Bangladesh bowlers restricted Pakistan within 166 for nine in the stipulated 50 overs.
Opener Sidra Ameen showed the lone resistance with an unbeaten 84 for Pakistan to crawl to 166 for 9 in their 50 overs. On a slow surface, Bangladesh used just six overs of fast bowling from Marufa Akter as the rest Bangladesh's rampant spinners kept Pakistan under pressure.
Lone ranger Ameen hit only three fours in her knock and finished with a strike rate of 58.74. She added 65 for the opening wicket with Sadaf Shamas (31 off 61 balls). Pakistan's middle orders failed to fire and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Ameen’s 84, only three other batters could reach the double-digits.
Nahida Akter caused the major damage in Pakistan innings finishing with 3 for 26 in 10 overs. Bangladesh's chase was a slow but steady one. Both Fargana Hoque and Murshida had strike rates in the fifties but they never let Pakistan in the game.
Fargana Hoque struck 62 from 113 balls before she became Nashra Sandhu’s one of two victims. Fargana’s innings was laced by five fours. Her opening partner Murshida Khatun played a brilliant supporting role on the other end. She hit six fours in a 106-ball 54.
Fargana Hoque was adjudged the player of the match for her vital knock while spinner Nahida Akter was named the player of the series.
Messenger/Disha
