Tigresses register their biggest win in WODIs

Bangladesh women's team recorded their biggest win by runs in the one-day format when they outplayed Ireland by 154 runs in the first WODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka today.

Defending their highest score in this format, 252-4, Bangladeshi bowlers showcased a brilliant bowling performance, not giving the opposition batters any chance in the run chase and bowling them out for just 98 runs in 28.5 overs to complete a dominating win over the tourists.

Earlier, Sharmin Akhter narrowly missed out on a maiden century but her career-best 96 off 89 balls powered the Bangladesh women's team to their highest ever total in WODIs after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Bangladesh women's team's previous highest score in ODIs was 250-3, which came against South Africa in East London in December last year.

Sharmin, who was playing her first international game since July 2023, hit 14 fours in her splendid innings, which ended in the penultimate over when she got caught at mid-off Freya Sargent while attempting to reach the three-figure mark with a boundary.

Opener Fargana Hoque also played her part, making 61 off 110 balls and forming a solid 59-run opening stand with Murshida Khatun (38 off 61), which laid the foundation for Sharmin to take the attack to the Irish.

For Ireland, off-spinner Sargent claimed 2-51 while Laura Delaney and Aimee Maguire took one wicket each.

Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter gave her side a double breakthrough in the third over of the Irish innings, removing skipper Gaby Lewis (five) and Amu Hunter (0) in successive deliveries but could not complete the hat-trick.

Opener Sarah Forbes and Laura Delany made 25 and 22 runs respectively but the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were bundled out way short of the target. 

Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter took three wickets each while Marufa claimed two wickets. 

Bangladesh's previous biggest victory by runs was against South Africa when they won the contest by 119 runs in the same match when they scored their previous highest total.

With today's win, Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second match will be held on November 30 at the same venue.