By Maksuda Lisa (Dhaka Bureau)
The dream was there, and so was the opportunity. Yet, on the historic turf of Old Trafford, the day concluded with the bitter-sweet regret of missed chances. Bangladesh Women’s cricket team suffered a 5-wicket defeat against arch-rivals India in a crucial encounter to stay in the semifinal race. However, beneath the heartbreak lies a story of immense grit, tactical growth, and the Tigresses’ undeniable potential on the global stage.
A Promising Start and Missed Chances
On a flat Manchester track, Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty made a brave decision by opting to bat first. Although Dilara Akter fell early for just 8, the script took a dramatic turn as the Indian fielders suffered a major meltdown. Capitalizing on three dropped catches within just four balls, Juwairia Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary anchored a resilient 39-ball 50-run partnership. By the end of the Powerplay, Bangladesh looked comfortable at 40 for 1.
Juwairia’s elegant drives and confident 31-ball 33 (including 5 boundaries) provided a solid foundation. In the middle overs, Sobhana Mostary (22) and skipper Nigar Sultana (32 off 27 balls) kept the momentum alive. At 96 for 3 after 14 overs, a projected total of 145 to 150 runs seemed well within reach.
However, the Indian bowlers staged a disciplined comeback in the death overs. Radha Yadav’s brilliant spell (3 wickets) choked the run flow. Despite a tactical move by Bangladesh to retire out Sharmin Akter for Ritu Moni to accelerate the scoring, India’s tight lines restricted Bangladesh to 136 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Shafali Verma’s Storm and Bangladesh’s Valiant Fightback
Defending 137, Bangladesh ran into a roaring storm named Shafali Verma. The ultimate difference between the two sides was carved out in the first six overs; while Bangladesh managed 40 in their Powerplay, India blazed to 63. Shafali brought up a blistering half-century in just 29 balls, eventually departing after a match-defining 53 off 34 balls, laced with 8 fours and a six.
‘We never gave up. Defending 136 against a world-class Indian batting lineup, our bowlers fought back brilliantly in the middle overs to keep the game alive. This shows the immense mental strength of our team’- Bangladesh Team Management.
Even after Shafali’s departure, Yastika Bhatia (23) and Jemimah Rodrigues (26) kept India in the driver’s seat. Yet, Bangladesh refused to bow down easily. Driven by disciplined bowling from Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, and Marufa Akter, alongside Ritu Moni’s crucial 2-wicket haul, India suddenly slipped to 104 for 4, igniting fresh hope across the Old Trafford stands.
Ultimately, the target proved too small for India’s deep batting lineup. Experienced captain Harmanpreet Kaur (13*) and Deepti Sharma (5*) held their nerves to steer India to 139 for 5 in 16.5 overs, sealing the victory with 19 balls to spare.
Short Scorecard
Bangladesh Women: 136/8 (20 overs), Juwairia 33, Nigar 32; Radha Yadav 3/30.
India Women: 139/5 (16.5 overs), Shafali 53, Jemimah 26; Ritu Moni 2/18.
Result: India Women won by 5 wickets.
The Dream is Far From Over
While this defeat complicates Bangladesh’s qualification equations for the semifinals, through Pressenza’s humanistic lens, this match transcends the binary of winning and losing. It stands as a vibrant testament to the steady rise of South Asian women’s cricket and a celebration of female athletes carving out their own legacy in a historically male-dominated arena. The Tigresses leave Manchester with valuable lessons, and fans remain hopeful that Nigar Sultana’s side will bounce back stronger in the upcoming fixtures.
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The Writer:
Maksuda Lisa; Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
