Bangladesh’s home series against Ireland kicked off on November 27, 2024, with a commanding performance by the hosts as they secured a resounding victory in the opening match of the three-game One-Day International (ODI) series. The day held extra significance for Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, who celebrated her 27th birthday.
Joty had multiple reasons to celebrate, as her team delivered a record-breaking performance on the field before joining her family and teammates in the dressing room for a joyous birthday celebration, capping off a memorable day. Scroll down below to watch the celebrations.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Bangladesh openers Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun (38 off 61) set the stage with a steady 59-run opening stand. Hoque (61 off 110) then partnered with Sharmin Akhter to accelerate the innings, adding a crucial 104 runs off just 105 balls, proactively pushing the score to 163/2 by the start of the 37th over. Though skipper Nigar Sultana Joty departed after contributing 28, her 61-run stand with Sharmin (96) further bolstered the total. Bangladesh ultimately reached a commanding 252/4, their highest-ever ODI score.
In defense, Marufa Akter’s consecutive strikes early on pushed Ireland on the backfoot. While Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, and Sarah Forbes tried to stabilize the chase, none could convert their starts, leaving Ireland struggling at 61/5. What followed was a dramatic collapse, as the visitors were skittled out for just 98, handing Bangladesh a commanding 154-run victory—their biggest margin of win in ODIs.
The celebrations in the dressing room grew even livelier as the team not only rejoiced in their dominant win but also the 27th birthday of their skipper Nigar Sultana Joty. Widely regarded as a great icon of the game in Bangladesh, Joty was joined by her teammates and family for a joyous celebration filled with laughter and cake cutting.
Nigar Sultana Joty stands as a cornerstone of Bangladesh women’s cricket, being the leading run-scorer in international women’s cricket for her nation. With 2,048 T20I runs, she is the only Bangladeshi woman to surpass 1,500 runs in the format. In ODIs, she is the second-highest run-scorer, amassing 925 runs. Since taking on the captaincy in 2021, Nigar has led the team to several landmark victories.
Most recently, at the 2024 T20 World Cup, she excelled with 104 runs at an average of 34.66 and recorded seven dismissals—more than any other wicketkeeper in the tournament. Notably, under her leadership, Bangladesh secured their first Women’s T20 World Cup victory in a decade, defeating Scotland. Her contributions extend beyond individual accolades, as she remains at the forefront of Bangladesh’s growth and the evolution of women’s cricket in the country.
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