The 2nd ODI between Australia Women and Bangladesh Women at Brisbane delivered a captivating narrative of resilience, exceptional skill, and dominant power-hitting.
Taking the field to bat first after the toss, Bangladesh Women found themselves in immediate trouble against a disciplined Australian pace attack. Megan Schutt set the tone early by dismissing Fargana Hoque for a 13-ball duck, caught behind by Beth Mooney, leaving Bangladesh at 2/1 in 3.3 overs.
Kim Garth maintained the unrelenting pressure from the other end, trapping Sarmin Sultana lbw for 5 off 20 balls following an Australian review at 8/2 in 6.6 overs. The top-order collapse was completed moments later when Megan Schutt breached Sharmin Akhter’s defenses, bowling her for an 11-ball duck to leave the visitors tottering at 8/3 in 7.2 overs.
Faced with early disaster, captain Nigar Sultana joined Sobhana Mostary to script a remarkable recovery stand. Displaying immense patience, technical soundess, and determination, the pair mounted a historic 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sobhana Mostary took on the role of the primary stroke-maker, crafting a stunning 118 off 134 balls that included 18 boundaries.
Meanwhile, captain Nigar Sultana provided solid anchor support, finishing on an unbeaten 74 off 114 deliveries with 7 fours. Australia finally ended the massive partnership in the 48th over when Megan Schutt returned to break Sobhana Mostary’s stumps at 203/4. Schutt struck once more in the final over to remove Shorna Akter for 8 off 7 balls at 214/5, before Ritu Moni was run out by Schutt for 0. Rabeya Khan remained not out on 0 alongside Nigar Sultana as Bangladesh Women posted a competitive 220/6 in their 50 overs.
Australia’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Megan Schutt, who registered fantastic figures of 4 for 36 in her 10 overs, including one maiden. Kim Garth was equally tight, picking up 1 for 35 in her 10 overs with two maidens. Although Annabel Sutherland (0/51 in 10 overs), Ashleigh Gardner (0/37 in 7 overs), Georgia Wareham (0/17 in 4 overs), Alana King (0/18 in 5 overs), and Tahlia McGrath (0/25 in 4 overs) went wicketless, their disciplined spells ensured the scoring rate remained manageable through the middle overs.
Chasing a target of 221 runs, Australia Women launched an all-out attack right from the outset, making quick work of the run chase. Openers Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield put on a clinic, dismantling the Bangladeshi bowling attack with a blazing 162-run opening partnership off just 119 balls. Phoebe Litchfield played a dynamic knock of 70 from 51 deliveries—hitting 11 fours and a six—before she was caught by Habiba Islam off the bowling of Shorna Akter in the 20th over at 162/1.
Following the lone wicket, Ellyse Perry walked in to join Georgia Voll and comfortably steered Australia across the finish line. Voll was in magnificent form, charging to a scintillating unbeaten century and finishing on 131 off 97 balls with 19 boundaries. Ellyse Perry remained unbeaten on 19 off 22 balls, hitting 2 fours. Australia Women reached the target effortlessly, finishing at 222/1 in just 28.1 overs to secure a comprehensive 9-wicket victory with 131 balls remaining.
It was a tough day on the field for the Bangladeshi bowling unit. Shorna Akter was the only wicket-taker for her side, finishing with figures of 1 for 32 in 4 overs. The rest of the attack found it difficult to stem the boundary flow, with Marufa Akter recording 0 for 40 in 4.1 overs and Habiba Islam conceding 0 for 51 in 6 overs. Spinners Nahida Akter (0/36 in 4 overs), Rabeya Khan (0/33 in 5 overs), and medium-pacer Ritu Moni (0/30 in 5 overs) all went without a wicket as Australia cruised to a commanding win.
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