After 14 years since its men’s team’s inaugural participation in the World Cup, Bangladesh women will write history today when they take the field to play their first ever match in an ICC global event. At what time Mushfiq-led Bangladesh were opening their World Twenty20 account against reigning champions West Indies in Dhaka yesterday, Salma Khatun and Co. were gathering energy and inspiration to face the Caribbean women on their debut scheduled to be held 270km away from the capital at the Sylhet International Stadium today at 3:30pm.
Despite all the hard training sessions in the last three days and the support that they will receive from a rowdy home crowd during the match, the inexperienced Bangladesh side still has a long way to go to execute a positive outcome against an in-form West Indies who already started their campaign with a thrilling win over favourites England.
It’s a new beginning for Bangladesh in women’s cricket and the intent and determination that was apparent in their afternoon training session yesterday gives an intimation that they are ready to fight. “Everyone in the team is excited to give their best. They are enjoying everything including the practice session and can’t wait to prove it on the field,” said skipper Salma Khatun yesterday.
The most prolific female cricketer of the country is also well aware of the ability and power of their opponents and admitted is helplessly by saying, “We are nothing compared to them,” before immediately stimulating her words, “As it is T20 match, anything can happen.”
Bangladesh’s recent performance in the warm-up matches against Pakistan and South Africa following the 3-0 defeat to India in Cox’s Bazar indicates ‘anything’ can happen.
The home side’s major concern is in their batting department that has constantly failed to put up defendable totals and an interesting fact says that no Bangladesh batter has ever scored a half-century in T20Is.
“We have the capability to score 140 plus but our main batsmen are not in their usual form. We have to make best use of power play to maximize run rate. If we can score 140 I think we will give a good fight to defend it with the bowling attacks we have,” said Salma.
“I always said we have a strong spin attacks but now I can add we have a good pace attack as well,” she added.
A win today will take West Indies closer to the semifinals and captain Merissa Aguilleira looks forward to carry the momentum in which they have been since landing in Bangladesh.
“From our first game we have a lot to look forward to and hopefully we can continue the momentum,” said Merissa.
“We are obviously not underestimating them (Bangladesh). They are playing on their home territory. So they will have the home advantage with crowd behind them. But it’s all about going out there and sticking to the basics, because at the end of the day we cannot get complacent,” she added.
West Indies could miss their star opener Stafanie Taylor, who scored fifty against England, due to a knee injury while her partner Kycia Knight is also doubtful.
However, Deandra Dottin would be a major headache for Bangladesh bowlers. The ace all-rounder who holds the record of hitting the only century in women’s T20Is failed to star with the bat, but picked up four wickets with the ball to play major role in their opening win.
