Ritu Moni scored a tremendous half-century to guide Bangladesh to a thrilling two-wicket win in an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier fixture against Ireland at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.
Ritu’s tremendous knock under pressure, an unbeaten 61-ball 67 featuring six fours and a six, rescued Bangladesh from the brink of a likely defeat as the Tigresses chased down Ireland’s 235-run total with eight balls to spare after being reduced to 82-4 in the 22nd over.
Bangladesh skipper and the team’s best batter Nigar Sultana Joty 68-ball 51 and it seemed that the Tigresses were staring at a defeat after the right-hander’s dismissal in the 26th over, with the scoreboard reading 94-5. But Ritu held her own and took the onus upon herself, batting through to the finish line alongside the lower-order.
While the top-order failed to produce anything of substance, Bangladesh’s middle-order and its tail stood firm to lead their side to victory. Ritu, batting at six, put together a 45-run stand with Fahima Khatun (28 off 38 balls), a 40-run partnership with Jannatul Ferdus (19 off 23 balls), and a record 54-run ninth-wicket stand with Nahida Akter (18 off 17 balls) to see the Tigresses through.
Earlier, leg-spinners Rabeya Khan (3-39) and Fahima (2-50) shared five wickets between them to restrict Ireland to 235-8.
LND/BG
