Tigresses clean sweep Ireland in ODIs
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Sharmin Akhter and Fargana Haque delivered a record-breaking partnership for Bangladesh Women in ODIs, leading the team to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Ireland in the third and final match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka.
The win sealed a 3-0 series sweep for the hosts.
Sharmin scored a composed 72 off 88 balls, while Fargana anchored the innings with 61 off 99. Together, they forged a 143-run stand off 168 balls, the highest partnership in Bangladesh Women’s ODI history, as the Tigresses comfortably chased down the 186-run target in just 37.3 overs.
This victory marked Bangladesh's second clean sweep in a three-match ODI series, the first being against Zimbabwe in 2021.
In the chase, opener Murshida Khatun fell for eight in the fifth over, but Sharmin and Fargana steadied the innings.
Despite losing both to Aimee Maguire in quick succession, captain Nigar Sultana Joty (18) and Sobhana Mostary (7) ensured a smooth finish at 186-3.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s spinners dominated, taking all 10 wickets to dismiss Ireland for 185 in 50 overs. Leg-spinner Fahima Khatun bagged three wickets, while Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter chipped in with two each. Irish skipper Gaby Lewis top-scored with 52 off 79 balls but couldn’t set a challenging total.
Sharmin, returning to the national side for this series, was named Player of the Match, while Fargana was awarded Player of the Series.