Brisbane:Bangladesh Women's cricket team faced a heavy seven-wicket defeat against Australia in their first-ever ODI on Australian soil at Allan Border Field.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh team, after being put into bat, managed to score 166 runs before being bowled out in 49.4 overs. Experts deemed this total at least 100 runs short of being competitive against the formidable Australian team.
Australia chased down the target comfortably in just 25.4 overs, scoring 168 for the loss of three wickets. Debutant pacer Habiba Islam Pinky made an impact for Bangladesh, taking 2-36, including the early dismissal of opener Georgia Voll for 19. Despite this early breakthrough, Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry shared an 89-run partnership, making the chase straightforward for Australia.
Rabeya Khan managed to dismiss Litchfield after she scored an explosive 77 off 57 balls. Habiba also claimed the wicket of Beth Mooney, but Perry and Annabel Sutherland guided Australia to victory. Perry remained unbeaten on 26, while Sutherland added 25, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Earlier, Annabel Sutherland's impressive bowling figures of 4-30, supported by Megan Schutt's 2-19, disrupted Bangladesh's innings. Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Tahlia McGrath each took a wicket as Bangladesh struggled to build momentum.
Bangladesh's innings suffered early setbacks with openers Farjana Haque Pinky and Sarmin Sultana falling cheaply. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin Akter Supta contributed 29 and 24 runs respectively, but regular wickets hindered progress. Ritu Moni's 45 off 63 balls helped Bangladesh surpass the 150-run mark, but it was insufficient against Australia, one of the strongest teams in women's cricket history.