BD lose to Aussies in Women’s T20 WC

Sports Reporter :
Despite Nigar Sultana’s superb half-century Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team lost to Australia Women’s Cricket team by eight wickets in their second Group-1 match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup (WC) at the Saint George’s Park in Australia on Tuesday night.
Nigar Sultana played a Captain’s knock of 57. Her 50-ball innings had seven fours and a sixer.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh scored 107 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Australia coasted home making 112 for the loss of two wickets when they had 10 balls to spare.
Bangladesh lost their early two wickets for 11 runs.
One-down Sobhana Mostary and second-down Nigar Sultana repaired the damage contributing together 31 runs for the third wicket partnership before Sobhana (7) was caught at the short midwicket by Alana King off Georgia Wareham when Bangladesh’s total was 42 runs for the loss of three wickets.
After dismissal of Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter built a notable partnership putting together 44 runs in the four-wicket stand before Shorna Akter (12) was bowled out by Georgia Wareham when Bangladesh’s score was 86 for the loss of four wickets.
Apart from Nigar and Shorna, no Bangladesh woman could reach double digit figures.
Wareham grabbed three wickets instead of 20 runs, while Darcie Brown captured two wickets at the cost of 23 runs. Wareham was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Ashleigh Gardner and Megun Schutt took one wicket apiece.
Later, Marufa Akter gave an early breakthrough as opener Beth Mooney was caught by Fahima Khatun off Marufa when Australia’s score was nine for the loss of one wicket.
After Mooney’s dismissal, Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning added together 69 runs in the second wicket stand before Healy was caught at the extra cover by Nigar Sultana off Shorna Akter when Australia’s score was 78 for the loss of two wickets.
After Healy’s departure, Lanning and Ashleigh Gardner completed their chase scoring together 33 runs for the unbroken third wicket partnership.
Lanning remained unbeaten with 48 runs. She hit four fours in her 49-ball innings.
Healy made 37 from 36 deliveries featuring four fours and a sixer.
Gardner remained unbeaten with 19 runs. Shorna and Marufa took one wicket each for 12 and 19 runs respectively.