The 17-year-old off-spinner from Indonesia Rohmalia Rohmalia scripted history in the 5th T20I against Mongolia.
The Mongolian Women’s team led by skipper Tsendsuren Ariuntsetseg are touring Indonesia led by skipper Ni Wayan Sariani for a six-match T20I series that commenced on 21st April 2024 and concluded on 24th April 2024.
The visitors were of no match to the home side Indonesia as they already had the series (4-0) in their kitty going into the 5th T20I. Indonesia skipper Ni Wayan Sariani won the toss and opted to bat first in the 5th T20I. Indonesia posted a total of 151/5 in their quota of overs. Opening batter Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini was the top scorer for her side (61 off 44 balls) with the bat, alongside Hilva Noor (19 off 27 balls), Ni Mutiari (13 off 20 balls), and Rohmalia Rohmalia (13 off 15 balls).
Mendbayaar Enkhzul (4-0-29-4) and Odzaya Erdenebaatar (4-0-28-1) were the top performers with the ball for Mongolia. Chasing a target of 152, Mongolia were bundled out for just 24 with 22 balls to spare. None of the Mongolian batters managed to get into double digits. The 17-year-old spin bowling all-rounder triggered the collapse as she ran through the Mongolian batting line-up.
She returned with exceptional match figures (3.2-3-0-7) with the ball, without conceding even a single run in her spell that included three maidens. It is the best-ever figure in the history of T20I cricket, both for men’s or women’s. She also now holds the record for the best figures in an innings on debut in the T20I format. She surpassed the 28-year-old off-spinner from Nepal Anjali Chand, who returned with match figures (2.1-2-0-6) in her spell against Maldives on 2nd December 2019.
She broke the long-standing record. She played a pivotal role in helping her side clinch a thumping 127-run victory over Mongolia in the 5th T20I. She was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational all-round performance, scoring (13 off 15 balls) with the bat and returning with exceptional match figures (3.2-3-0-7) with the ball for her side.
🚨 WORLD RECORD 🚨
Indonesian bowler Rohmalia Rohmalia picked 7 wickets conceding not a single run 😮
This happened against Mongolia on 24 April.
She now has the best bowling figures in the world right now. #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EMrBgI6hr6
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 25, 2024
“We are very proud and inspired by Rohmalia’s achievements. As a player competing at the international level for the first time and immediately setting a world record, she has established a new standard for the sport in Indonesia. This is proof of the strength of our development program and the potential of women’s cricket in Indonesia. Rohmalia’s achievements also underscore the importance of providing opportunities for young athletes to grow and compete on the world stage.” The Chairman of the Persatuan Cricket Indonesia (PCI), Abhiram Singh Yadav speaks in appreciation of the 17-year-old youngster, setting a benchmark and inspiring the young Athletes in Indonesia to take up the sport.
This success not only places her at the top of the best bowling achievements in women’s T20 international cricket but also marks a spectacular debut in the national team. Rohmalia’s performance surpasses the previous records held by Frederique Overdijk of France and Alison Stocks of Peru, who both took 7 wickets losing only 3 runs.
(Quotes sourced as per the official release).