Kubra strikes bring happy end
I am really delighted as I achieved the first ODI five-for for my country. But I don't want to be happy with a one-off success. I enjoyed bowling today as there was some turn on the pitch.
Off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra
The Bangladesh women's cricket team finished the campaign against their Pakistan counterparts on a happy note thanks to off-spinner Khadija Tul Kubra, who achieved a new milestone for the country's women's cricket in the one-off ODI at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar yesterday. The home side rode on Kubra's six for 20, the best bowling figures for Bangladesh, to secure a six-wicket victory, thus ending the tour with some solace after a 3-0 defeat in the T20I series.
Pakistan were caught in the spin web of Kubra when she came in as the third-change bowler to remove Ayesha Zafar, Nida Dar, Umaima Sohail, Sidra Nawaz, Nashra Sandhu and captain Javeria Khan, who top-scored for Pakistan with 29, on way to wrap up the innings for just 94. Kubra's figures overtook Rumana Ahmed's four for 20 to sit at the top of best bowling performance by a Bangladesh women's cricketer.
Despite two early wickets, an 81-run third-wicket partnership between Fargana Hoque (48) and captain Rumana Ahmed (34) ensured a comfortable win; their eighth in ODIs.
"Kubra single-handedly won the match for Bangladesh. After three defeats in the T20I series, this win will definitely help the team get back their confidence ahead of next month's World Twenty20 in West Indies. This is not a seasoned team and they have been playing good cricket for just the last three-four months, so they don't know how to make a comeback from a poor showing. This win will definitely help the team a lot," said Nazmul Abedin Fahim, BCB's women's wing development manager.
The cricketers will now enjoy a four-five days of rest before joining a camp for the World Twenty20, which will be held in the West Indies from November 9 to 24. The Tigresses will fly for Grenada, where they will have a weeklong preparation camp, on October 23.
SCORES IN BRIEF
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