Tigresses outclass Ireland

A superb effort from the bowlers and an accomplished chase by the batters, in particular opener Sharmin Akhter, led the Bangladesh women's cricket team to a seven-wicket victory over Ireland in their first Super Six match of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground yesterday.

Ireland set the Tigresses a paltry total of 145 to win in 50 overs and Bangladesh, riding on an 85-ball 52 from Sharmin, reached the target in 39.1 overs.

Sharmin hit five boundaries and was part of two crucial partnerships. Her opening stand with Sharmin Sultana (22 off 50 balls) realised 40 runs in 15 overs. Sharmin then built a vital 53-run third-wicket partnership with Fargana Hoque before the half-centurion fell to leg-spinner Ciara Metcalfe. That was the last of Ireland's joy as skipper Rumana Ahmed scored a brisk 24 and took the team home in the company of Fargana, who finished with a 57-ball 34.

Earlier, skipper Rumana called correctly at the toss and unleashed her bowlers on Ireland, who were soon in trouble at 15 for two in the ninth over. Bangladesh medium pacer Jahanara Alam took both wickets -- those of opener Cecelia Joyce and Kim Garth -- by getting the batters to edge to keeper Nigar Sultana. 

Ireland then suffered a twin blow when, after a 45-run stand between Meg Kendal and Clare Shillington (36-ball 37), both departed within two runs of each other as off-spinners Khadija Tul Kubra and Salma Khatun got among the wickets. A 44-run fifth-wicket partnership between skipper Laura Delaney (68-ball 37) and Isobel Joyce followed, but when the latter was trapped in front by the medium pace of Panna Ghosh, it set off a collapse of the last five wickets for 38 runs. Jahanara picked up three wickets while Panna, Khadija and Rumana picked up two each.

The four teams to progress from the Super Six stage will qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup this summer in England. However, Bangladesh will need to win all their Super Six matches, or at least two if other results go their way, to qualify as they have a losing record against fellow Group B qualifiers Pakistan and South Africa. Points from matches played in the group stages are carried through to the Super Six stage.

Bangladesh's next match is against India tomorrow.

Scores in brief

IRELAND: 144 all out in 47.2 overs (Delaney 37, Shillington 37; Jahanara 3-21, Panna 2-16, Khadija 2-26, Rumana 2-50)

BANGLADESH: 145 for 3 in 39.1 overs (Sharmin 52, Fargana 34 not out, Rumana 24 not out; Metcalfe 1-33)

Result:  Bangladesh won by 7 wickets