WC Qualifiers: Brilliant century by Nigar guides Bangladesh to crush Thailand by 178 runs in opener

A brilliant century by captain Nigar Sultana Joty guided Bangladesh team to make a flying start in the six-nation ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers crushing Thailand by a massive 178 runs in their opening match at the Lahore City Cricket Association ground on Thursday

Sent into bat first in the day’s opener, Bangladesh piled up their highest ODI total scoring 271 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in stipulated 50 overs, featuring two brilliant partnerships in the 2nd and 3rd wicket stands, reports UNB.

One down Sharmin Akter partnering with opener Fargana Hoque contributed 104 runs in the 2nd wicket stand while Sharmin Akter again pairing captain Nigar Sultana hammered a polished 152 runs off 138 balls in the 3rd wicket stand to make a record ODI total for Bangladesh.

Two down Nigar Sultana made her maiden ODI ton, the 2nd for any Bangladeshi women’s cricketer, hammering career best 101 runs off 80 deliveries with 15 hits to fence and one over the fence and was adjudged the player of the match.

Sharmin Akter contributed an unbeaten 94 runs off 126 balls featuring 11 fours while Fargana Hoque made a half century with 53 runs off 82 deliveries featuring four boundaries .

Earlier, Bangladesh opener Ishma Tanjim made 8 runs off 13 balls including one boundary leaving Bangladesh team at 15 runs for one wicket in 3.4 overs

Phannita Maya, Thipatcha Putthawong and Onnicha Kamchomphu of Thailand took one Bangladesh wicket each.

Replying to huge total, the Thai women’s were bundled out cheaply for just 93 runs in only 28.5 overs with only three batters were able to reach double figures.

Jannatul Ferdous and Fahima Khatun of Bangladesh claimed five wickets each conceding 7 and 21 runs respectively.

In the remaining league basis matches of the ongoing meet, Bangladesh will play Ireland on April 13, Scotland on April 15, West Indies on April 17 and hosts Pakistan on April 19

Earlier, Bangladeshi women made a very good practice in Pakistan, crushing the hosts Pakistan Women’s by a massive 167 runs in their second warm-up match after beating Scotland by five wickets in the first warm up match ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.