Sobhana Mostary struck a historic century as Bangladesh Women recovered from a disastrous start to post 220 for six in their second ODI against Australia Women in Brisbane on Sunday.
The right-handed batter scored 118 off 134 balls, hitting 18 boundaries, to register Bangladesh’s highest individual score in any format of women’s international cricket. Her magnificent innings also helped the visitors record their highest total against Australia in women’s ODIs.
Sent in to bat after Australia captain Tahlia McGrath won the toss and elected to field, Bangladesh suffered a nightmare start, losing three wickets for just eight runs inside the first eight overs.
Fargana Hoque fell for a 13-ball duck, while Sarmin Sultana managed five and Sharmin Akhter was dismissed without scoring as Australia’s bowlers capitalised on the early movement and bounce.
With Bangladesh in deep trouble, Sobhana joined captain Nigar Sultana Joty at the crease to stage a remarkable recovery. The pair negotiated the early challenges and gradually built a commanding partnership, putting pressure back on the hosts with a combination of solid defence and positive strokeplay.
Sobhana brought up her half-century off 66 balls before reaching her maiden ODI hundred off 123 deliveries. Her knock was the cornerstone of a 195-run fourth-wicket partnership with Joty, the highest women’s ODI stand at the Brisbane ground.
Reflecting on her innings, Sobhana credited the support of her coaches and teammates for helping her maintain her composure under pressure.
“Actually, I'm so happy because of my hundred, and I would like to thank my coaches, my teammates, and my friends also. They supported me so much. They were always telling me, ‘Hey, you stay, you play your game.’ So I just stuck to my plan and played my positive shots,” she said.
Sobhana added that Joty had encouraged her to build a long partnership after the early collapse.
“She told me, ‘You just stay here, you and me just stay and play a long innings.’ My coach also told me to bat longer, so that was the plan,” she said.
The partnership ended in the 48th over when Sobhana was bowled by Megan Schutt for 118, with Bangladesh at 203. Joty remained unbeaten on 74 off 114 balls, including seven fours, as Schutt finished with four wickets for 36 runs.
Bangladesh lost three wickets in the closing stages but reached 220 for six, scoring 212 runs after losing their third wicket.
Head coach David Hemp said the team needed greater exposure to challenging conditions, particularly the extra bounce in Australia, but stressed that the players had demonstrated their potential.
“We want to be exposed to this all the time, and if we are, as you can see, they can do it. But it's about consistency, and that exposure is really important,” Hemp said.
Australia need 221 runs to win the second ODI.
