Bangladesh Women’s team sealed a historic ODI series win against Ireland with another record-breaking performance. After setting their highest ODI score (252) in the first match, they chased down their highest target in the second match.
At the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Ireland batted first and posted 193/6. In reply, Bangladesh reached the target in 43.5 overs, losing 5 wickets. This win follows last year’s chase of 167 against Pakistan, completed with 26 balls to spare. With two consecutive wins, Nigar Sultana’s team clinched the three-match series with one game remaining.
Bangladesh started their chase poorly, losing Murshida Khatun early. However, an 85-run partnership between the in-form Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akter steadied the innings. Fargana scored her second consecutive fifty in 88 balls but fell immediately after, caught off Laura Delany’s full toss. Sharmin followed shortly, contributing 43 off 63 balls. Sobhana Mostary could only add 16 runs from 21 balls.
Despite losing three quick wickets, the required run rate remained manageable. Captain Nigar Sultana and Swarna Akter kept the momentum alive with quick scoring. Nigar made 40 off 39 balls, while Swarna scored 29 off 29. After Nigar’s dismissal, Swarna and Fahima Khatun guided the team to victory, remaining unbeaten. Laura Delany, Ireland’s standout bowler, claimed two wickets.
Earlier, Ireland’s innings started shakily. Opener Gaby Lewis was caught at mid-wicket in the fourth over off Sultana Khatun, and Sarah Forbes fell LBW to Nahida Akter in the 11th over, leaving Ireland at 35/2. Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast stabilized the innings, adding 91 runs off 144 balls. Hunter scored her fifth ODI fifty off 66 balls before falling LBW to Swarna Akter for 68 off 88 balls, including eight boundaries.
A run-out triggered Ireland’s collapse. Prendergast, after scoring 37 off 72 balls, was run out by a direct hit from Rabeya. Delany’s 33 off 50 balls and Una Raymond-Hoey’s unbeaten 21 off 18 helped Ireland reach 193/6. Sultana Khatun was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, taking two wickets.
With this win, Bangladesh’s women continued to showcase their growing strength in international cricket.
