Bangladesh come out on top in a thriller against Ireland

Ritu Moni's incredible resilience pulled off a miraculous win for Bangladesh to make it two wins from two games at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier.

Bangladesh were left tottering afte Ireland kept striking at regular intervals to disrupt their batting in chase of 236.

But, Moni's indomitable fighting spirit, combined with a superb half-century from Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty got them over the line in thrilling fashion by two wickets in a chase for the ages.

Opting to bat first in the second game of the day, Ireland suffered an early blow when opener Sarah Forbes was run out in the fourth over, giving Bangladesh an early breakthrough.

However, Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter steadied the innings with a solid 50-run partnership. The stand was broken when Lewis was dismissed via a sharp caught-and-bowled effort by Jannatul Ferdus. Hunter followed soon after, also falling to a run-out, which gave Bangladesh a brief upper hand.

Laura Delany then joined Orla Prendergast at the crease, and the pair put together a fluent 72-run stand—the highest of the innings. Prendergast was eventually trapped LBW by Rabeya Khan, while Delany played a composed innings, scoring 63 off 75 balls before being stumped off the bowling of Fahima Khatun.

Some useful lower-order contributions and small partnerships pushed Ireland to a competitive total of 235/8 at the end of their innings.

Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun were the standout performers with the ball for Bangladesh, claiming three and two wickets respectively.

Bangladesh had a shaky start to their run chase, with Orla Prendergast striking early to remove both openers in quick succession, leaving them reeling at 2/2. Sharmin Akhter and captain Nigar Sultana Joty then steadied the innings with a crucial 52-run partnership. However, just as things began to settle, Laura Delany broke through by dismissing Sharmin Akhter, reducing Bangladesh to 54/3.

With wickets tumbling at one end, skipper Joty held her guard, helping herself to a brilliant half-century that steadied the Bangladesh innings, before falling eventually for 51 off 68.

Fahima Khatun and Janntul Ferdus amassed 28 and 19 respectively, but Ritu Moni's resilient maiden half-century, making 67* off 61 took Bangladesh over the line with two wickets to spare in a thriller in Lahore.

Moni, alongside Nahida Akter (18*) stitched together a match-winning 54-run stand for the ninth wicket, helping Bangladesh to their highest-successful chase in Women's ODIs.

Following the loss, Ireland have been knocked out of the tournament with three losses in three games.

Report courtesy: ICC