Bengal Tigress exceptionally better brand of all round cricket finished at level with India in the just concluded three matches ODI series at SBNCS Dhaka. Bangladesh shocked India in the first match winning the rain affected match by D/L method.
Mighty India bounced back in the second winning by a huge margin. Bangladesh playing much better brand of all round cricket almost surprised the vastly superior and higher ranked Indian eves. Surprisingly the encounter ended in a tie with both the teams scoring 225. Perhaps the outcome was a bit bitter for India to swallow. Harmanpreet Kaur did not sound professional in her post match interview. Bangladesh girls in the series played much better brand of cricket. There can be one or few marginal umpiring decisions in a match. These are part of the game. Just a day before Bangladesh A team suffered against India A in the emerging Asia Cup. Bangladesh captain did not cross the battery limit.
The fate of the match swung like pendulum. Bangladesh batting with purpose grit and determination. Fargana Haq Pinki walked into the history being first Bangladeshi girl scoring ODI century (107). It was in fact the first ever three figure score by a Bangladesh girl in any format of international cricket. Her name will now be remembered in Bangladesh alongside Mehrab Hossain doing it for Bengal tigers against Zimbabwe. She could become the first girl carrying her bat through had she not sacrificed her wicket in the last ball trying to add an additional run. Bangladesh scored a competitive score of 225/4 in allotted overs. Indian reply was rocked early by budding Bangladesh pacer Marufa removing Shefali Verma through an excellent return catch. India could be greater soup had not Wicket Keeper Jyoti dropped Smriti Mandana at 1. 
However, Smriti and Deol rallied around scoring freely in their 107 runs third wicket partnership. Bangladesh never gave up and kept bowling tight and fielding smartly. There were one or two marginal decisions but once Smriti left after scoring 59 wickets kept tumbling. Match turned into any body’s game at Indian score of 217/9. Marufa Akter bowling the last over of the match had Meghna Singh caught behind when the score was level. The match ended in a tie and the series was drawn.
Earlier Bangladesh girls after losing the first two matches of the T20 series brilliantly bounced back in the third losing the series 1-2 . They rocked India in the first ODI but batted poorly in the second . The series at 1-1 made the 3rd match the decider. Bangladesh opting to bat first showed the application that was missing in the first two matches. The openers Fargana Haq Pinki and Shamima Sultana looked calm, composed in their opening stand of 93. Captain Nigar Sultana with a breezy 24 gave some momentum. But Fargana was exceptional all the way in her milestone setting innings of 107, the first three figure innings by a Bangladeshi girl. She batted for three and half hours in extreme heat and humidity. Even Subhana Mustary gave her excellent support scoring unbeaten 23 adding useful 56 in the unbroken 5th wicket. India despite their all out efforts could not dislodge Bangladesh girls from committed efforts.
On the slow uneven SBNCS wicket chasing 226 for a win was always tricky. Marufa again almost removed Smriti in her first over inducing her nicking behind but unfortunately, it did not get stuck in the gloves of keeper Nigar. However, she picked up an excellent diving catch off her own bowling to remove Shefali Verma. Indians started showing dissent when Yastika Bhatia was given LBW to Sultana Khatun. Then Smriti and Harleen Deol batting brilliantly put the Indians on course in the third wicket partnership of 107.
However, Bangladesh never lose heart and kept plugging, Smiriti was removed by Fahima after she scored 59. Bangladesh smelled victory after Deop got run out after scoring 77. Harmanpreet Kaur could not digest the decision given against him caught by Fahima Khatun off the bowling of Nahida. She smashed the wicket in a very unsporting gesture. From here on the match swung from side to side till Marufa again picked the last wicket after the score was levelled at 225. Neither side deserved to lose the match.
It is true India is one of the top cricket team. But in a game one team can win or lose any match or any series. There can be any or few controversial decisions. But the cricket matches should be played in true spirits by the professionals. Yesterday Indian Captain did not remain within her battery limit.
BDST: 0717 HRS, JULY 23, 2023
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