India tie the final match and series with Bangladesh Women
Ashwin Jangam
July 22, 2023
A low scoring thriller was yet again witnessed in the contest between Bangladesh Women and Women in Blue. The only difference is the result as the match was tied with both the teams scoring equal runs. India was given a target of 226 runs to chase, and they managed to score 225 in a rain affected game, thereby resulting in a tie and ending the series with 1-1 each.
Winning the toss, Nigar Sultana led Bangladesh chose to bat, a decision which their openers proved right. Cautiously batting against Indian bowling lineup, the Bangla openers stitched a good opening partnership of 93 runs, before Shamima Sultana was dismissed for 52 runs. Farhana Hoque continued to bat in her zone and hit a good century on a slow track. Hoques's ton and handy contributions from skipper and Shobhana Mostary helped Bangla team register a total of 225 runs.
With 226 required to win the series, chase-master Smriti and Harleen Deol stepped up for India, with both hitting their half centuries. They stitched a partnership of 107 runs, before former was dismissed for 59 runs. Deol then continued with Indian skipper and Jemimah. In process, she hit her 2nd odi half century scoring 77 runs. India looked in a great position when Deol and Jemimah were batting, and scorecard showed 173/4, but rain affected the outcome of the match.
Once the match resumed post the rains, Harleen was dismissed. And it resulted in a quick downfall of Indian middle and lower order. The team collapsed like pack of cards, with Jemimah being the lone batter standing. Bangla bowlers displayed their skills well and dismissed most of Indian batters. And they held their nerve to dismiss the last batter Meghana Singh with the scores already levelled. India came so close to winning the match, but ended up settling for the match to be tied.
Along with the match , the series was tied as well with each team winning 1 match. Match which looked in control of the game, had a different result. Smriti, Harleen , Jemimah's efforts could just help India tie the match. And the referees decided to declare the game as a tie, when super over could've happened. The decision was made because the stipulated time for the game was already over. But shouldn't one consider the time lost due to rains, and have a super over when there is no visibility issue? That would've given a final result to a well fought series between both the teams.