Photo: Collected
The Bangladesh women's cricket team achieved their largest victory margin in One-Day Internationals, thrashing Ireland by 154 runs in the first match of a three-game series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Defending their record total of 252-4, Bangladesh's bowlers delivered a clinical performance, dismissing Ireland for just 98 runs in 28.5 overs. The emphatic win highlighted the hosts' dominance in both batting and bowling departments.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh were powered by Sharmin Akhter's sublime innings of 96 off 89 balls, her highest ODI score. Returning to international cricket after a hiatus since July 2023, Sharmin struck 14 boundaries in her knock, falling just short of her maiden century. She was dismissed in the penultimate over, caught at mid-off by Freya Sargent while chasing a boundary to reach three figures.
Sharmin was supported by opener Fargana Hoque, who crafted a steady 61 off 110 balls. Fargana and Murshida Khatun (38 off 61) built a solid 59-run opening partnership, laying the foundation for the record-breaking total.
Ireland's Freya Sargent was the pick of their bowlers, taking 2-51, while Laura Delany and Aimee Maguire chipped in with a wicket apiece. Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter set the tone early in Ireland's chase, removing skipper Gaby Lewis (5) and Amy Hunter (0) in successive deliveries in the third over. Although she narrowly missed out on a hat-trick, her efforts rattled the visitors.
Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter took three wickets each, while Marufa claimed two, as Ireland's batters struggled to build momentum. Only Sarah Forbes (25) and Laura Delany (22) offered resistance before the visitors collapsed well short of the target.
This triumph surpasses Bangladesh's previous biggest win by runs, a 119-run victory against South Africa last December, when they also posted their former highest total of 250-3.
With a 1-0 lead in the series, Bangladesh will look to seal the series in the second match, scheduled for 30 November at the same venue.
Messenger/JRTarek
