In a dramatic encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh women held India women to a tie in the third and final match of their ODI series today (July 22).

The day began with Bangladesh opting to bat first. Opener Fargana Hoque led the charge with a remarkable maiden century, scoring 107 off 160 balls, studded with seven boundaries.

Her steady 93-run opening stand with Shamima Sultana, who contributed a well-made 52, laid the foundation for Bangladesh's competitive total of 225 for 4. This was Bangladesh women's team’s second highest ODI total, after the 234 for 7 against Pakistan in 2022.

India's bowling attack, led by Sneh Rana (2/45) and Devika Vaidya (1/42), managed to restrict the Bangladeshi batters but struggled to make significant breakthroughs. Rana's crucial wickets included that of Shamima and Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, who added 24 runs to the total.

Chasing a target of 226, India had a shaky start with an early loss of a wicket. However, Smriti Mandhana steadied the innings with a solid 59 off 85 balls.

Harleen Deol also played a crucial role, reaching her fifty with a single and guiding the ball to the third man fence for a boundary. Despite their efforts, India faced a setback with Deol's run out, leaving the team at 192/6 in 42 overs. Deol scored 77 runs off 108 balls, hitting eight boundaries.

The match reached a nail-biting climax as India needed 14 runs from the last five overs with four wickets in hand. However, the Bangladeshi bowlers, led by Fahima Khatun and Rabeya Khan, tightened their grip, restricting the flow of runs.

In the end, the match concluded in a dramatic tie with both teams scoring 225 runs. The result meant that the three-match ODI series ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with both sides sharing the trophy.

BDST: 1843 HRS, JULY 22, 2023
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