Yesterday at the Sher-e-Bangladesh National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh, Pacer Marufa Akter, who clearly works with a pumped-up action and scary resolve, is all grins as she deftly kicks a football in training. The training took place at the national stadium. The Bangladesh superstar hailing from Nilphamari took four key wickets on Sunday to script her team’s first One-Day International win over India. The hosts will also count on her in today’s second and last game of the series, which has the potential to determine the series. It should come as no surprise when the former Australian cricketer Mel Jones said that Marufa puts “the bang in Bangladesh” during the Twenty20 World Cup that was held this year in Bangladesh. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Following their first-ever victory in a One-Day International (ODI), which they achieved against India the previous Sunday, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team has their sights set on achieving yet another historic first as they want to finish off the three-match series with a victory in the second ODI, which will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
The game is slated to start at 9:30 in the morning, and spectators will have the opportunity to watch it live on the BCB’s official YouTube channel.
According to all-rounder Lata Mondal, the victory in the series against a top side like India, who are ranked two places higher than the Tigresses at six in the ODI rankings, will be a turning point for women’s cricket in Bangladesh, who have only won ODI series against Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland. In the past, Bangladesh has only won ODI series against Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland.
“It goes without saying that [if we win the series], it will be a turning point.” We put in a lot of effort, and we have been hoping for a positive outcome for a very long period. Therefore, the outcome will go in our favor if we are able to perform effectively out on the field. Who wouldn’t want to win the series, especially considering that we are going to strive to play some of our finest cricket and stick to the process? According to what Lata said yesterday to the media, “We will try to play our best because we will be playing at our home ground.”
According to Lata, the home team will want to capitalise on the momentum gained by their victories in the concluding Twenty20 international and the first One-Day International.
“India are a very talented team. Since we prevailed in the most recent Twenty20 international and the first one-day international, it stands to reason that we are doing things appropriately and have been playing superior cricket than them,” she said.
Marufa Akter, a pace bowler for the hosts, was outstanding in the first one-day international, taking four wickets to help Bangladesh restrict India to 113 runs. It is anticipated that she will perform an essential function once again today.
However, batting is still an issue for the home team, and according to Lata, who did not play in the first one-day international, the Tigresses are working on their abilities and aim to put up a stronger performance today. Lata did not play in the first one-day international.
India, who swept their most recent bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka and England, will undoubtedly aim to bounce back and attempt to keep the series alive after suffering their first loss of the tournament.