Marufa Akter, spinners help Bangladesh to historic win against India

Bangladesh created history when they registered their first win against India in ODIs with a 40-run (DLS Method) victory at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday (July 16). Bowling led by young pacer Marufa Akter played a big hand in the triumph after they were bowled out for 152 on a rainy day. 

Opting to bowl first after a delayed start, India began well with Sharmin Akther getting run out for an 18-ball duck at the strikers end with the combined effort of Amanjot Kaur and Yastika Bhatia. Debutant Amanjot contiued her good day as she picked up her first international wicket in the form of Murshida Khatun in the ninth over. They played out five continuous maidens in this period.

Just as it seemed like Bangladesh would get going with Fargana Hoque and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, rain returned with the the hosts' score reading 40 for 2 in 15.1 overs and the players had to go off for an extended period of time.

Eventually the rain stopped and the match was reduced to 44 overs-per-side. Amanjot cameback to remove Hoque with the experienced duo adding 49 runs for the third wicket. The right-arm pacer struck two more times and finished with a four-wicket haul as Bangladesh succumbed to 116 for 7 in the 35th over. 

From there, Sultana Khatun's 20 helped the home side to 152 as they were bowled in the penultimate over. Debutant Shorna Akter couldn't take the field and was absent hurt.

For India, Amanjot picked up 4 for 29 from her nine overs, while Devika Vaidya chipped in with two wickets.

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Chasing a moderate total (DLS adjusted target of 154) on a slow wicket, India lost Smriti Mandhana early in the thrid over as she became Marufa's first wicket. Priya Punia playing her first ODI since 2021 didn't last long either against the young pacer.

India seemed to be getting in some trouble as Harmanpreet Kaur departed early in the second over off Nahida Akter. The visitors were looking down the barrel when Jemimah Rodrigues fell and were reduced to 61 for 5 in 17 overs.

However, Amanjot in the company of Deepti Sharma seemed to steady the ship even though runs were hard to come by. The pair added 30 runs for the sixth wicket to take the score to 91 in the 29th over.

That's when the skipper once again turned to her trumpcard. On her return to the bowling crease, Marufa dismissed Amanjot as she was caught behind by Joty. The batter didn't seem to be pleased with the decision, but she had to walk back. Marufa then got a quicker one to go through the defense of Sneh Rana and took Bangladesh to the driving seat.

India's only hope was the allrounder Deepti, but she also fell soon as Ritu Moni pulled off a smart catch off Rabeya Khan. India lost last five wickets for just 22 runs to be bowled out for 113 to give Bangladesh their first win against India in the format.

The win was also their first win in the ICC Women's Championship (IWC) for the 2022-25 cycle having collected four points from rain abandoned matches. India, on the other hand, suffered their first loss in this IWC cycle after winning three games each against Sri Lanka and England.

For the hosts, Marufa finished with the best figures by a Bangladesh pacer in the format while Rabeya picked up three wickets.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 152/10 in 43 overs (Nigar Sultana Joty 39; Amanjot Kaur 4/31, Devika Vaidya 2/36) beat India 113/10 in 35.5 overs (Deepti Sharma 20; Marufa Akter 4/29, Rabeya Khan 3/30) by 40 runs (DLS Method) POTM: Marufa Akter