Bangladesh’s stunning fightback results in thrilling tie
Fargana Hoque became the first Bangladeshi woman to score an ODI hundred as the hosts tied the third match and, with that, the series 1-1, on Saturday (July 22) in Dhaka. The Bangladesh veteran’s well-paced 107 led the team to 225/4 from their allotted 50 overs, and even though India seemed well in control at one point to complete a come-from-behind series win, the home team staged a brilliant comeback through late strikes to tie the final-over thriller. With the game’s stipulated time over, no Super Over was possible as per the ICC Women’s ODI Championship 2022-25 playing conditions. Having won the ODI series opener, Bangladesh were determined to turn it into their maiden series win against India and of the IWC. To that end, the hosts opted to bat and their new opening pair of Fargana and Shamima Sultana vindicated the decision by putting on a 93-run stand where the centurion played a second fiddle. Sneh Rana got India the much-needed breakthrough in the 27th over when she sent back Shamima soon after her fifty, but Fargana carried on and put on 71 runs for the second-wicekt partnership with her captain Niga Sultana, picking up the pace. Fargana completed her half-century in 97 balls as a result of overthrows, and then converted it into a 156-ball century just after Bangladesh went past the 200-run mark in the 47th over. She was run out final ball of the innings, but helped Bangladesh to their highest ever ODI total against India in their limited 50-overs rivalry. With the pitch offering turn, India’s chase suffered a couple of early blows as Shafali Verma, playing her first ODI of the tour, and Yastika Bhatia went for single digits. However, Smriti Mandhana (59) and Harleen Deol (77) combined for a 107-run partnership to pull them out of trouble. It’s through this partnership that India gained the lead on Bangladesh. They were well ahead of the home team’s scoring pace, but Fahima Khatun put an end to the threatening stand when she had the Indian vice-captain caught at point two balls after being dropped earlier in the same over. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s stay in the middle was cut short by a shoddy LBW call, and she made no efforts to conceal her disappointment when she struck the stumps with her bat in frustration. Shortly afterwards, play was briefly interrupted by rain when India needed 53 more off the final 12 overs, with six wickets in hand. At the time, India were ahead on DLS calculations but play resumed under lights soon after with no reduction in overs. As India inched closer to the target, Harleen was run out on 77 in the 42nd over but the visitors still seemed in control. Jemimah Rodrigues, however, had to see a wicket procession at the other end as she continued to fight. India lost three wickets in the space of five balls to slip to 217/9 by the close of the 48th over. A timely boundary from Meghna Singh relieved the pressure off India, who now needed just three off the last over. Marufa Akter, however, had the India no. 11 caught behind with the scores levelled to fittingly end the series with a 1-1 scoreline. Brief scores: Bangladesh 225/4 in 50 overs (Fargana Hoque 107, Shamima Sultana 52; Sneh Rana 2-45) tied with India 225 all out in 49.3 overs (Harleen Deol 77, Smriti Mandhana 59; Nahida Akter 3-37, Marufa Akter 2-55)
