Sports Reporter :
A five-wicket haul by Nahida Akter powered Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team to thrash Kenya Women’s Cricket team by 80 runs in their match of the Commonwealth Games Women’s Cricket Competition Qualifiers at Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday. Nahida Akter completed her superb spell as 3.4-1-12-5. Nahida Akter was adjudged the Player of the Match for her superb bowling performance.
Sent into bat first, Bangladesh piled up a fighting total of 125 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs and then bundled out Kenya for a paltry 45 off 12.4 overs.
Bangladesh had a shaky start as opener Shamima Sultana (4) was caught by Mercyline Ochieng off Lavendah Idambo when Bangladesh’s score was 24.
One-down Nigar Sultana (1) was trapped leg before wicket Ochieng when Bangladesh’s total was 42 for the loss of two wickets.
Second-down Rumana Ahmed could stay at the crease for a short period as she (0) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Ruth Achando off Ochieng when Bangladesh’s score was 42 for the loss of three wickets.
Opener Murshida Khatun was caught & bowled by Queentor Abel when Bangladesh’s total was 44 for the loss of four wickets.
Murshida Khatun made 26 from 19 deliveries featuring four fours.
Fourth-down Sobhana Mostary (2) was caught Sharon Juma off Abel when Bangladesh’s score was 50 for the loss of five wickets.
Third-down Fargana Hoque (6) was bowled out by Queentor Abel when Bangladesh’s total was 50 for the loss of six wickets.
Then, Salma Khatun and Ritu Moni rescued their team from danger contributing together 75 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket partnership before Bangladesh’s innings came to an end. Ritu Moni remained unbeaten with 39 runs. She hit three fours in her 34-ball innings.
Salma Khatun remained unbeaten with 33 runs. Her 32-ball knock was belted with three fours.
Abel grabbed three wickets at the cost of 14 runs, while Ochieng bagged two wickets instead of 21 runs and Idambo took one wicket conceding 32 runs.
Later, Sharon Juma of Kenya was the only batter for her team who could reach double digit figures. Sharon scored 24 from 20 deliveries including four fours.
Sanjida Akter Meghna, Suraiya Azmin, Rumana Ahmed and Salma Khatun took one wicket each for five, five, eight and 15 runs respectively.
