|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh suffered a 118-run defeat against Australia in the first ODI at Sher e Bangla National Cricket Stadium, on Thursday.

Ashleigh Gardner took three wickets to trigger Bangladesh's batting collapse, reducing them to 95 runs in 36 overs after being at 70/3 following the dismissal of Sobhana Mostary.

Bangladesh lost opener Fargana Hoque for nought in the first over and followed by Murshida Khatun (10) early in the game. Then captain Nigar Sultana and Sobhana put together 49 runs for the third wicket to rebuild their innings until Gardner gave the breakthrough. 

Sultana top scored with 27 runs facing 64 balls stroking four boundaries and Sobhana scored 17 runs.

Bangladesh then lost seven more wickets in the space of 25 runs, with no batter reaching double digits.

Earlier, Annabel Sutherland and Alana King rescued Australia by adding a 67-run partnership to set Bangladesh a 214-run target 

Alana smashed four sixes and a boundary to Fahima Khatun in the last over to score a career-highest 46 runs in 31 deliveries and Sutherland top-scored with 76-ball 58 featuring five boundaries.

 Bangladesh bowlers ripped through the batting order of the visitors to decrease them to 78-5 in 25 overs, however, the Tigress failed to keep the pressure and their domination faded away.

Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner contributed with important 25 and 32 runs in the middle respectively to revamp their innings.