Bangladesh draw series with India after thrilling tie

Bangladesh women’s cricket team batter Fargana Hoque celebrate after scoring a hundred during their third and final ODI against India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday. — BCB photo

Sports desk: Fargana Hoque made history by becoming Bangladesh’s first woman to score a hundred as the hosts shared the ODI series with India after the third and final match ended in a thrilling tie at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

With the series tied at 1-1 after Bangladesh won the rain-hit first game by 40 runs before India levelled it with a massive 108-run victory in the second game, the third match appeared to be an unofficial final.

Bangladesh made 225-4 in 50 overs, their second-highest total in ODIs behind 234-7 against Pakistan in Hamilton in 2022, thanks to Fargana’s 107 off 160 balls and Shamima Sultana’s 78-ball 52.

The previous highest score by a Bangladeshi woman batter was Salma Khatun’s unbeaten 75 against the same opponent in 2013.

With India well on course for victory, Bangladesh forced a collapse after the brief rain break that saw the visitors lose six wickets for 36 runs to be all out for 225 in 49.3 overs.

Since there was no super over, the match was declared a tie, and the series was shared.

Harleen Deol made team’s highest 77 for India, while Smriti Mandhana scored 59. Harleen was adjudged the player of the match, while Fargana was named the player of the series.

Pace sensation Marufa Akter gave Bangladesh a terrific start, dismissing Shafali Verma with a return catch in the second over of the innings, and then Sultana Khatun compounded India’s problem, getting the better of Yastika Bhatia, who looked visibly unsatisfied with her leg-before decision as she indicated the ball might go down the leg side.

With India at 32-2, Smriti and Harleen brought the side back into contention with a 107-run partnership.

Fahima Khatun broke through with the wicket of Smriti after she made 59 off 85 with five fours.

Nahida Akter further gave Bangladesh the edge when Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was caught by Fahima, but the batter was dissatisfied as she suggested the bat didn’t connect the ball.

She, however, reacted with venom by breaking the stump. The rain intervened with India at an advantageous 173-4 with Harleen playing astutely.

The rain-break seemed to be a mental distraction for the Indian batters as they started losing wickets at regular intervals. The rot began with Harleen after she was trapped run out.

Jemimah Rodregues kept one end with utmost confidence to take the game deep, but Bangladesh bowlers kept striking regularly.

India went into the last over with just three runs needing to win but they had one wicket in hand.

Number eleven batter Meghna Singh, who hit a boundary in the penultimate over, came to strike after Jemimah took a single to level the score.

But Meghna edged a moving delivery from Marufa behind the wicket as Bangladesh avoided defeat. Jemimah was left stranded with 33.

Nahida was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with 3-37, while Marufa claimed 2-55.

Earlier, Bangladesh openers Fargana and Shamima justified captain Joty’s decision to bat first, sharing 93-run for the opening stand, before Sneh Rana had her caught by captain Harmanpreet.

Sneh, who took 2-45, also claimed the wicket of Joty after she scored 24.

Fargana brought up her century off 156 balls with seven boundaries but was run out in the last ball of the innings.

Sobhana Mostary remained unbeaten on 23.

Fargana went past Rumana Akter and Salma Khatun, who made identical, as the highest individual run-getter for Bangladesh.