First pacer Marufa Akhtar, then two spinners Nahida Akhtar and Sultana Khatun. Ireland lost to the bowling of these three men. They were all out for only 98 runs against the Bangladeshi bowlers. By doing so, Nigar Sultana Jyoti's team started the three-match ODI series with a big win of 154 runs. This is the biggest win in Bangladesh's ODI history by the margin of runs. Earlier, Bangladesh won by 119 runs against South Africa last year.
Bangladesh scored 254 runs after losing 4 wickets by batting first at Mirpur Sher Bangla Stadium. In reply, the Irish girls lost a wicket in the third over. Gabby Lewis (5) and Amy Hunter (0) returned to the dugout with two balls in succession after Marufa succumbed to the pace. In the middle order, no one could resist except Orla Prendergast and Laura Denley. Left-arm spinner Nahida and off-spinner Sultana could not stand the Irish batter.
Among the Irish batters, Sarah Forbes, who was run out by Rabair, played the highest innings of 25 runs. Apart from this, Denly played an innings of 22 and Lewis 19 runs.
Pacer Maruf who bowled 4 overs in the beginning took two wickets in one over. After that, this pacer was not brought to the bowling. Two spinners Nahida and Sultana took three wickets each.
Earlier, the captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti won the toss and decided to bat. The two openers, Farzana Haque Pinking and Murshida Khatun, got off to a slow start. Bangladesh scored 59 runs in the opening pair with somewhat slow batting. The two openers gave up 45 balls in 10 overs. Murshida was dismissed for 38 off 61 balls but another opener Pinking scored a half century. He played an innings of 61 runs off 110 balls with 4 fours. However, before getting out, Farzana made a partnership of 104 runs with Sharmin.
After Farzana's out, Sharmin and captain Nigar started scoring runs together. Sharmin's innings in particular was aggressive. Bangladesh team crossed two hundred easily with the pair of 61 runs. Nigar was dismissed for 28 runs off 28 balls. Even after his out, Sharmin continued to play with open arms. He departed with a catch in the last ball of the 49th over while playing a long shot at mid-off.
Sharmin Akhtar Supta scored a century in the ODI World Cup Qualifier against USA in 2021. But that match was not recognized internationally. That's why Sharmin's century is not in the record book, if he was, he would have been the first centurion of Bangladesh. But he is unlucky. Even after scoring a century in that match, he returned to the dressing room with a regret of 6 runs. Despite getting out for 96 runs, the Bangladesh team scored their highest 252 runs in ODI cricket based on his innings. He completed his innings with 14 fours off 89 balls. Apart from this, Swarna Akhter remained unbeaten with 13 from 9 balls and Sobhana Mostari with 5 runs from 3 balls. Earlier against South Africa last year he scored 250 runs with the loss of 3 wickets.
Freya Sergeant took the highest two wickets among Irish bowlers. Amy Maguri and Laura Delaney also picked up a wicket each.
