Ritu Moni leads Bangladesh to record chase against Ireland

Women's World Cup Qualifiers

Ritu Moni leads Bangladesh to record chase against Ireland

Online Desk

13 Apr 25 22:43:50

Ritu Moni plays a shot against Ireland

In their second match of the Women's World Cup Qualifiers, Bangladesh found themselves under pressure while chasing 236 against Ireland. The team was struggling at 94 for 5 when Ritu Moni stepped up to rescue the innings.

Ireland posted a challenging total of 235 for 8, capitalizing on a lackluster performance from Bangladesh’s bowlers. Chasing 236, Bangladesh suffered an early blow in the very first over as Fargana Hoque departed for a duck, caught behind off Orla Prendergast. Young opener Ishma Tanzim also fell cheaply for 2.

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Sharmin Akhter Supta and Nigar Sultana then tried to stabilize the innings with a 52-run stand before Sharmin fell for 24. Nigar built another partnership with Sobhana Mostary, but Sobhana’s dismissal for 7 runs left Bangladesh under pressure. The situation worsened when captain Nigar Sultana, after reaching her fifty off 68 balls, was dismissed for 51.

Ritu then began her rescue act. She forged a 45-run partnership with Fahima Khatun (28) and a 40-run stand with Jannatul Ferdous (19) to keep Bangladesh in the chase. However, Bangladesh still needed 51 runs from the final 48 balls with only three wickets in hand. The pressure intensified as Rabeya was dismissed cheaply.

But Ritu remained composed, partnering with Nahida Akter to guide Bangladesh home. Their unbeaten 54-run partnership sealed the victory with eight balls remaining. Ritu registered her maiden ODI fifty, finishing on 67 off 61 balls, hitting six fours and one six.

Earlier, Ireland elected to bat first at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. After losing Sarah Forbes to a run-out in the fourth over, captain Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter stitched together a 50-run stand. Jannatul broke the partnership by dismissing Lewis, while Hunter was run out for 33.

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Prendergast and Laura Delany then added 72 runs for the fourth wicket before Rabeya trapped Prendergast LBW for 41. Delany went on to score a 75-ball 63 before being stumped off Fahima Khatun’s bowling. In the death overs, Leah Paul (19) and Arlene Kelly (24*) added crucial runs.

For Bangladesh, Rabeya starred with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 39 runs. Fahima Khatun took 2 wickets for 50 runs, while Jannatul Ferdous picked up one wicket.

With this victory, Bangladesh maintains a perfect record in the qualifiers, staying at the top of the points table.