Sobhana’s record hundred not enough to save series from Australia
Australia sealed the three-match ODI series with a match to spare, beating Bangladesh by nine wickets in Brisbane on Sunday, despite Sobhana Mostary becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to score a century on Australian soil.
Bangladesh were in trouble at 8 for three after 7.2 overs, having lost the toss and been sent in at Allan Border Field. Fargana Haque, Sharmin Sultana and Sharmin Akter all fell cheaply, with Megan Schutt striking early.
Mostary arrived in the eighth over and joined captain Nigar Sultana Joty in a rescue act. Their 195-run stand for the fourth wicket came off 243 balls and was a record for any side against Australia in women’s ODIs.
Mostary was fluent, reaching fifty off 66 balls, while Joty needed 97 for hers. A review saved Mostary on 84 after an appeal for a catch behind off Annabel Sutherland, and she then pressed on to three figures.
She reached her maiden international hundred off 123 balls, then added 18 off 10 more before being bowled by a Schutt full toss. Her 118 off 134 balls, with 18 fours, is the highest score by a Bangladeshi woman in ODIs.
Joty stayed unbeaten on 74, but no other batter reached double figures and Bangladesh finished on 220 for six. Schutt took four for 36 from her 10 overs, including a maiden.
The chase of 221 was swift. Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll put on 162 for the first wicket in 120 balls, racing to 82 without loss in the powerplay, with Voll reaching fifty off 34 balls and Litchfield off 41.
Litchfield fell for 70 off 51 balls, caught at cover attempting a reverse sweep off Sorna Akter. Voll and Ellyse Perry then added an unbeaten 60 off 50 balls, finishing the job with 131 balls to spare.
Voll was given a life on 104 when Sharmin Akter Supta dropped a straightforward chance off Rabeya Khan. She ended unbeaten on 131 off 97 balls, with 19 fours, her third ODI century, and was named player of the match.
Bangladesh had lost the opening ODI by seven wickets, bowled out for 166, and needed to win both remaining games to stay alive. The teams meet again at the same venue on Wednesday for the final match.