Bangladesh make ODI turnaround

Bangladesh women’s team spinner Khadija Tul Kubra gestures after picking up 6-20 against Pakistan in a lone one-day international match at Sheikh Kamal International Stadium in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. — BCB photo

Bangladesh women’s cricket team made a complete turnaround from their disastrous performance in Twenty20 series to beat Pakistan by six wickets in lone one-day international in Cox’s Bazar on Monday.Spinner Khadija Tul Kubra became the first Bangladeshi player to pick up a five-wicket haul in ODIs as she finished with 6-20 to help the home side bowl Pakistan out for 94 runs 34.5 overs.Despite losing both the openers early, Bangladesh rode on Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed’s 81-run third wicket stand to reach 95-4 in 29 overs, completing their third one-day international win over Pakistan in eight meetings. Fargana made highest 48 off 81 balls while Rumana struck 34 off 70 balls.Earlier, Pakistan got off to a decent start as their openers provided them a 38-run stand before Lata Mondal dismissed Muneeba Ali for 18.Kubra then stole the show as she completed her maiden five-wicket haul in Sidra Nawaz to surpass Rumana Ahmed’s record of previous best bowling figure for Bangladesh, 4-20 against India in 2013.Kubra bowled last batswoman Nashra Sandhu as Pakistan were folded under 100-run mark. It was only 14th instance in women’s ODI that a bowler took six or more wickets in an innings. The 23-year spinner was ecstatic with her performance against Pakistan and also was happy to get a win after a dismal performance in Twenty20 series where they lost 3-0 in the four-match series.‘It’s a great feeling to get six wickets. But I’m more happy as my team pulled off a comeback in the match,’ Kubra said after the game.Skipper Rumana, who also bagged two wickets to her cap in a fine all-round performance, was hopeful to carry the momentum in the next ICC Women’s World T20 in West Indies, scheduled to start from November 9.‘It was a very important win before the World Cup. Now we’ll go with high confidence in the tournament,’ she said. Pakistani skipper Javeria Wadood top scored with 29 runs.