Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in thriller to clinch gold in women's cricket
Bangladesh won the SA Games final by two runs. This is their first-ever gold in SA Games.
Bangladesh Women's cricket team clinched the gold medal in the ongoing 13th South Asian Games on Sunday beating Sri Lanka in the final by two runs at Pokhara.
Bangladesh Women's best success in SA Games was winning a silver previously. But this time, they bagged their first gold medal in the event riding on a superb bowling effort.
Sri Lanka won the toss in the final and opted to field first. Bangladesh were dismal with the bat as they posted only 91 runs for eight in 20 overs.
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Murshida Khatun and Ayesha Rahman- the opening pair failed to impress as they departed within 16 runs. Ayesha posted only two while Murshida scored 14 runs.
The middle-order disappointed to pose a strong batting show as Bangladesh fell into trouble losing five wickets in 36 runs. Fargana Haque and Ritu Moni failed to score any run in the match.
Nigar Sultana was the best batter of Bangladesh scoring 29 runs off 38 balls with two fours and one six. Sanjida Islam and Fahima Khatun contributed with 15 each.
Eventually, Bangladesh posted a below-par total of 91 runs for eight in 20 overs.
Umesha Thimashini bagged four wickets conceding eight runs in four overs with two maidens.
In reply, Sri Lanka tumbled for 89 for nine in 20 overs. Jahanara Alam scalped one wicket and defended seven runs in the last over to seal the game for Bangladesh.
Earlier, Bangladesh removed both the Sri Lankan openers in just 11 runs. However, their captain Harshitha Madavi scored 32 and Lihini Apsara scored 25, but their efforts went in vain due to the poor batting of the other batters.
Nahida Akter took two wickets conceding 9 runs in four overs while Jahanara Alam, Salma Khatun and Khadijatul Kubra bagged one wicket each. Four out of nine Sri Lankan batters were run out in this game.
Bangladesh went into the tournament as favourites. This gold will inspire the team for future events, thinks the team management.
"Definitely this gold will inspire the team more to perform well in the future. The gold is very important for the team as well as for the country," said women's team manager and former national opener Javed Omar Belim after the match.
Earlier, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives to pave the way to the final. Eventually, they emerged the unbeaten champions of the event and clinched their first-ever gold medal in the SA games.
