Bangladesh women’s team achieved a historic nine-run win against Pakistan in their first ever ODI World Cup journey in New Zealand.
Monday's win against Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton brought back memories of that famous victory by the men’s cricket team against the same subcontinent opponents in Northampton, United Kingdom back in 1999.
The similarities do not end there as the men’s team were also playing in their maiden World Cup, like the women in New Zealand now.
Win against Pakistan is not a fluke by any stretch of the imagination as Bangladesh women’s team have achieved some magnificent results in recent years, and raised their status as a good competitive side.
Here are a few achievements from Bangladesh women’s cricket team in recent years:
June 2018: Asia Cup win, defeating India for first time
Bangladesh created history after beating India by three wickets in the final of the Asia Cup T20I 2018 in Kuala Lumpur.
Chasing 113 runs, Bangladesh reached the destination in their allotted 20 overs, middle-order batter Nigar Sultana top-scoring for her side with 27.
ODI captain at that moment, Rumana Ahmed chipped in with 22.
Earlier, India were restricted to 112 for the loss of nine wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.
Harmanpreet Kaur scored the highest 56.
Bangladesh's Khadija-tul Kubra and Rumana took two wickets each while seamer Jahanara Alam and the then T20I captain Salma Khatun notched one apiece.
December 2019: South Asian Games Cricket gold
Bangladesh U-23 women's team defeated their Sri Lankan counterparts by two runs to clinch gold medal at the 13th South Asian Games Cricket Competition in Pokhara, Nepal.
Bangladesh successfully defended seven runs in the last over - bowled by Jahanara - as Sri Lanka finished their innings on 89 for nine chasing 92.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 91 runs in their 20 overs losing eight wickets.
Nigar Sultana was the top-scorer with 29 while Sanjida Islam and Fahima Khatun scored 15 each.
April 2021: Granted Test status
The International Cricket Council's Cricket Committee granted Test and ODI status to all Full Member women’s teams in their meeting, which means Bangladesh women’s team attained the prestigious Test status.
The Cricket Committee, led by former Indian captain Anil Kumble, considered various current issues in the international game, and presented its recommendations which were approved, confirmed a media release from ICC.
The news was met with jubilation all around in the Bangladesh cricket fraternity as ODI captain Rumana and T20I skipper Salma were among the national women cricketers to have expressed their joy in getting the chance to wear the traditional Test whites.
November 2021: Qualified for 50-over World Cup for first time
Bangladesh took part in the World Cup Qualifiers 2021 last year in Zimbabwe but the International Cricket Council eventually called off the Qualifiers due to the introduction of travel restrictions from a number of African countries, including the host country Zimbabwe, following the breakout of a new Covid-19 variant in southern Africa.
The governing body of international cricket in the media release named Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies as the qualified teams for the World Cup 2022, to be played in New Zealand – based on the competition team rankings detailed in the tournament playing conditions.
Bangladesh were on top of Group B with wins over Pakistan and USA, while the Windies topped Group A after beating Ireland.