Sobhana Mostary struck a record-breaking century but Bangladesh Women suffered a nine-wicket defeat against Australia in the second ODI in Brisbane on Sunday, as the hosts chased down 221 with 131 balls to spare to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Sobhana scored 118 off 134 balls, hitting 18 fours, to register the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in women’s ODIs. Her remarkable innings rescued the visitors from a disastrous start and helped them post 220 for six after losing three wickets for just eight runs.
However, Georgia Voll’s unbeaten 131 off 97 balls and Phoebe Litchfield’s 70 off 51 deliveries powered Australia to 222 for one in just 28.1 overs, extending their winning streak at Allan Border Field to 23 matches.
Bangladesh’s innings appeared to be heading for an early collapse as Megan Schutt and Kim Garth dismantled the top order. Fargana Hoque fell for a 13-ball duck, Sarmin Sultana scored five and Sharmin Akhter departed without scoring, leaving the visitors in deep trouble inside eight overs.
Sobhana, however, responded with remarkable composure and attacking intent. Joining captain Nigar Sultana Joty, she gradually took control of the innings, finding boundaries against both pace and spin while Joty provided support at the other end.
The pair added 195 runs for the fourth wicket, the highest women’s ODI partnership at the Brisbane ground, transforming Bangladesh’s position and frustrating the Australian bowlers.
Sobhana reached her maiden ODI century off 123 balls before eventually falling to Schutt in the 48th over. Her 118 surpassed Bangladesh’s previous highest individual score in women’s ODIs and marked a significant milestone for the team against the world’s top-ranked side.
Joty remained unbeaten on 74 off 114 balls, striking seven fours, as Bangladesh finished on 220 for six. Schutt was Australia’s most successful bowler, claiming four wickets for 36 runs.
The visitors, however, had little answer to Australia’s aggressive chase. Voll and Litchfield added 162 runs for the opening wicket in just 19.5 overs, taking the game away from Bangladesh before Litchfield fell for 70.
Voll continued unabated, reaching her third ODI century before guiding Australia home alongside Ellyse Perry, who finished unbeaten on 19.
Despite the defeat, Sobhana’s historic innings offered Bangladesh a significant individual milestone, even as the team’s struggle to contain Australia’s batting underlined the gap they must bridge to compete consistently against the world’s leading sides.
Brief Score
Australia 222 for 1 (Voll 131*, Litchfield 70, Akter 1-32) beat Bangladesh 220 for 6 (Mostary 118, Nigar 74*, Schutt 4-36) by nine wickets
