On July 25, 2024, the cricketing world witnessed a thrilling match between the Bangladesh Women and India Women’s cricket teams. The game, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Bangladesh Women won the toss and chose to bat first. The opening pair, Shamima Sultana and Murshida Khatun, provided a solid start. Shamima, known for her aggressive style, played confidently, hitting several boundaries early on. Murshida, on the other hand, focused on steady accumulation, supporting her partner well. However, the Indian bowlers soon found their rhythm. Pooja Vastrakar delivered a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Shamima for 32 runs. Murshida followed shortly after, falling to a brilliant delivery from Shikha Pandey.
Fargana Hoque, coming in at number three, steadied the innings with a patient knock. She found an able partner in Rumana Ahmed. Together, they rebuilt the innings, adding valuable runs. However, the Indian spinners, led by Deepti Sharma, tightened the screws. Deepti’s precise bowling paid off as she removed Rumana for 28. Fargana continued to fight, reaching a well-deserved half-century, but the Bangladesh innings began to wobble. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and they were eventually bowled out for 198 in 49.4 overs.
Chasing 199, India Women got off to a shaky start. Smriti Mandhana, the star opener, was dismissed early, trapped LBW by Jahanara Alam. Shafali Verma, known for her explosive batting, tried to counter-attack but was caught in the deep for 22. The early blows left India reeling, but Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the ship. Harmanpreet, with her experience, played a captain’s knock, anchoring the innings.
The Bangladeshi bowlers, particularly Salma Khatun, bowled with discipline. Salma’s off-spin troubled the Indian batters, and she claimed the wicket of Rodrigues, who scored a gritty 45. Harmanpreet found another able partner in Deepti Sharma. The duo put on a crucial partnership, taking India closer to the target. Harmanpreet’s half-century was a masterclass in pacing the innings under pressure.
As the game entered the final overs, the tension was palpable. India needed 20 runs from the last three overs. Panna Ghosh bowled a brilliant over, conceding only three runs and taking the wicket of Deepti Sharma. With 17 needed off 12 balls, Harmanpreet took charge. She smashed two boundaries in the penultimate over, bringing the equation down to six runs off the final over.
The last over was a nail-biter. Jahanara Alam, tasked with defending six runs, bowled with precision. Harmanpreet took a single off the first ball, bringing Sneh Rana on strike. Sneh missed the next delivery, increasing the pressure. On the third ball, she found the gap, running a crucial two. With three needed from three balls, the tension was immense.
Harmanpreet, back on strike, lofted the fourth ball over mid-wicket for a boundary, sealing a dramatic victory for India Women. The Indian team erupted in joy, celebrating a hard-fought win. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 68, showcasing her leadership and batting prowess.
The match was a testament to the growing competitiveness in women’s cricket. Both teams displayed immense skill and determination, making it a memorable encounter. The thrilling finish ensured that fans got their money’s worth, witnessing a high-quality game of cricket. The victory also highlighted India’s depth and resilience, setting the stage for an exciting series ahead.