Batting remains Tigresses’ Achilles heel

Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty was quick to acknowledge her side’s long-standing batting problem after they suffered a crushing seven-wicket defeat to Australia in the opening match of the three-match WODI series in Brisbane on Friday.

“Didn't get partnerships, so we lost our way,” Joty said during the post-match presentation.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

“We've got to be cautious against the new ball. Can’t lose so many wickets in the Powerplay. Need to be calm and patient to get control,” she added.

Despite the gulf between the two sides in terms of rankings, form and history, Bangladesh’s hopes of making a mark in their first-ever bilateral series in Australia largely depended on how their batters fared against the hosts’ formidable bowling attack at Allan Border Field.

However, Bangladesh’s batting line-up was exposed inside the first Powerplay, as they slumped to 33 for three in 7.5 overs. All three top-order batters -- Farzana Hoque (0), Sarmin Sultana (4) and Sharmin Akhter (24) -- fell to Australia’s pace attack.

Sobhana Mostary (2) soon followed suit, leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble. Joty and Shorna Akter then attempted to steady the innings with a 35-run partnership off 87 balls, but their slow scoring rate left the visitors struggling to build momentum.

Joty eventually fell to her Australian counterpart Tahlia McGrath for 29 off 86 deliveries, at a strike rate of just 33.72.

Thanks to lower-order batter Ritu Moni, who top-scored with 45 off 63 balls, Bangladesh managed to reach 166 before being bowled out off the penultimate delivery of their innings. Nahida Akter contributed an unbeaten 19, while Rabeya Khan added 11. Bangladesh’s highest partnership in the innings came at eighth wicket where Nahida and Ritu added 37 off 58 balls which also summed up their batting woes properly.

The total proved inadequate as Australia chased it down in just 25.4 overs. Opener Phoebe Litchfield struck 77 off 57 balls, while Annabel Sutherland, who had earlier claimed four wickets for 30 runs, remained unbeaten on 25.

The emphatic victory gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the series and underlined the gap between the two sides.

Apart from Ritu’s fighting knock, Bangladesh’s other major positive was the performance of debutant pacer Habiba Islam Pinky, who claimed two wickets. Joty also praised the youngster and her teammates for their efforts with the ball.

“Lots of positives. Habiba Pinky was aggressive, attacking. Whoever got the ball in hand bowled in the right areas. Should take these with us into the next game,” Joty said.

However, Bangladesh have little time to address their batting shortcomings, with the second WODI scheduled for Sunday at the same venue. Unless they produce a more resilient performance against the new ball and build meaningful partnerships, they could face another difficult outing against the formidable hosts.