Trio star in big Bangladesh win over Thailand

Nigar Sultana Joty’s century and five-wicket hauls by Jannatul Ferdus and Fahima Khatun led Bangladesh to a dominant, 178-run win over Thailand in their opening ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier match.

Nigar and Sharmin Akhter put on 152 runs for the third wicket as the skipper brought up her first ODI century and her country’s third-ever ton in the format.

Jannatul and Fahima then cleaned up all of the wickets between them, the first time two bowlers have taken five-wicket hauls in the same innings in WODI history, to get Bangladesh’s quest for a second appearance at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup up and running.

Bangladesh power to victory

Having put Bangladesh into bat, Thailand began strongly with Phannita Maya having opener Ishma Tanjim caught behind for eight.

The experienced heads of Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter moved Bangladesh into a commanding position with Fargana making 53 from 82 balls before she was dismissed.

Sharmin and her captain Nigar powered on, putting on 152 runs together, comfortably the biggest partnership of the tournament so far.

In the final over of Bangladesh’s innings, Nigar brought up her century with her 15th boundary before being caught by Aphisara Suwanchonrathi on 101 from the last ball of the innings.

Sharmin came six runs short of a maiden international century as she ended on 94 not out, the second-highest score of her career as Bangladesh set Thailand 272 to win.

The chase started brightly but Fahima Khatun’s first ball of the tournament broke Thailand’s resistance as Chanida Sutthiruang was bowled for 22 from 28.

Leg spinner Fahima then ran through the top order to leave Thailand at 47 for three in the 15th over.

From there, Jannatul Ferdus took over the wicket-taking mantle as she claimed five wickets for the loss of seven runs to decimate the middle order.

Ferdus’s performance was all the more impressive as the off-spinner was making only her third ODI appearance, and her first since 2018, as she also bowled for the first time in an ODI.

With one wicket remaining, Fahima had the opportunity to claim a first five-fer of her 12-year career and did so as Thailand were dismissed for 93.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh v Thailand – Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Lahore, Pakistan

Bangladesh 271/3 in 50.0 overs (Nigar Sultanta 101, Sharmin Akhter 94 not out; Phannita Maya 1/28, Thipatcha Putthawong 1/41)

Thailand 93 all out in 28.5 overs (Chanida Sutthiruang 22, Nattaya Boochatham 17; Jannatul Ferdus 5/7, Fahima Khatun 5/21)

Result: Bangladesh win by 178 runs.

Courtesy: ICC