Brian Goredema at Sunrise Sports Club, Harare
SHARMIN Akhter’s unbeaten century helped Bangladesh Women make light work of debutants United States of America, beating them by 269 runs in their Group B ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Sunrise Sports Club in Harare.
Akhter carried her bat in an entertaining knock of 130 runs from 141 balls made up of 11 boundaries that left the Eagles women flustered after winning the toss and sending the Asians in to bat.
The right-hander and her opening partner Murshida Khatun raced to 50 from 56 balls in just 35 minutes as they set the launching pad for their team.
Just as the pair looked like they would stretch their stand to a century, Khatun was bowled by Mahika Kandanala three runs shy of what would have been a well-played half-century. The wicket left Bangladesh on 96-1 after 16.1 overs.
USA bowled well in patches led by the impressive left-arm seamer Tara Norris but could not string enough good overs to put pressure on the free-scoring Bangladesh, who came into the match after upsetting Pakistan in their tournament opener.
Akhter, who was anchoring the Lady Tigers’ innings, was strong in the V, playing a crisp straight drive to the boundary to bring up her 50.
Bangladesh captain, Nigar Sultana who came in at first drop, took the attack to the USA, scoring 33 runs from 25 balls, which included five boundaries. She, however, perished in the 23rd over after she attempted a suicidal single, but a direct hit from Gargi Bhogle found her short of her ground.
With the foundation set, it was time to up the ante for Bangladesh as they entertained the few people who came to watch the match with a run-a-ball fourth-wicket stand of 137 runs between Akhter and Fargana Hoque.
Hoque eventually perished for 67 from 62 balls in the 45th over when she tried to hit Geetika Kodali out of the park but could only find the hands of Boggle, who was stationed at the boundary rope.
Akhter, who had looked good all afternoon, eventually got to her hundred from 117 balls, and the ton was cheered by her teammates.
USA bowled better in the last few overs of the Bangladesh innings, but it was a little too late as the Lady Tigers motored to 322 in their allotted 50 overs.
Moksha Chaudhary was the pick of the USA bowlers, taking two wickets for 64 runs which included one maiden in her ten overs.
USA, who became the 21st country to play an ODI, learnt the hard way on what is required at this level when their batting frailties were exposed.
They were their own worst enemies as the first wicket to fall was a needless run out, especially with a heavy cloud hovering over the ground with the possibility of the game being washed out by rain, the USA did not show the match awareness that is required at this level.
Boggle called Kandanala for a quick single that was not there, and the latter was run out. She was visibly angry with her partner, and she muttered something to her before she went back to the pavilion.
Bangladesh bowlers gave nothing away; Boggle tried to force things going for a lofted off-drive but could only find the waiting hands of substitute fielder Sobhana Mostary at mid-off. This left USA exposed on 15-2 after 8.1 overs.
Sindhu Sriharsha hit USA’s first boundary of the match in the 13th over, further illustrating the gulf in class between the two opponents.
USA wickets kept tumbling, and in the 15th over the umpires, Iknow Chabi of Zimbabwe and Kenya’s David Odhiambo called the groundsmen to bring in the covers when the showers became heavier. The Eagles went to the rain-induced break on 24 for 4.
When the players returned, Bangladesh spinners rushed through their overs in a bid to get to the 20th over and make sure that should rain return, the match would have a result.
With the threat of rain looming large, USA players, to their credit, played fairly without employing any delaying tactics.
Big left-arm pace bowler Norris came in at number eight and showed her batting skills on a wicket where her batters had struggled. She top-scored for the North Americans with a score of 16 from 27 balls. In the 28th over of their batting innings, Norris hit the second and third fours for the USA.
However, she was unlucky to be given out lbw by umpire Odhiambo when the ball was possibly going down the leg side.
USA folded for 52 for 9 in 30.3 overs Uzma Iftikhar did not bat for USA after sustaining muscle strain whilst fielding.
