In match 17 of the Women’s World Cup 2025, Alyssa Healy’s Australia, looking to seal their spot in the semi-finals, nice and early, were up against a spirited Bangladeshi unit, led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, who were searching for their 2nd win after a string of near misses in the recent encounters.
Australia added another leg-spinner in Georgia Wareham, replacing Sophie Molineux, and Darcie Brown made her way back into the side, replacing Kim Garth. Nishita Akter Nishi replaced Nahida Akter, and Fariha Trisna got her opportunity at the expense of Marufa Akter for Bangladesh in the starting 11.
Rubya Haider and Sobhana Mostary top-score as Bangladesh posts 198
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, surprisingly, opted to bat first against the formidable Australians on winning the toss in Visakhapatnam. The Bangladeshi openers, Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider, got their side off to a promising start with a 32-run opening partnership. Megan Schutt broke the stand by sending Fargana Hoque back to the pavilion in the 9th over of the innings, providing the first breakthrough for Australia.
Bangladesh survived the power play with much less damage (37/1). Sharmin Akhter joined Rubya Haider at the crease, and the duo took them into a solid position with another vital 41-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which also took them past the 50-run mark. Rubya Haider (44 off 59 balls) slogged one straight to mid-on to a tossed-up delivery outside off-stump from Ashleigh Gardner, providing the 2nd breakthrough for her side in the 18th over of the innings.
Sobhana Mostary dug deep and switched to anchor mode as she kept losing partners from the other end. With Bangladesh in danger of getting bundled out, without completing their quota of 50 overs, as number 11 Fariha Trisna joined her. Sobhana Mostary took matters into her own hands and ensured that they completed their quota of overs via a defiant 33-run partnership for the 10th wicket.
Bangladesh ended up with a total of 198/9 in their quota of 50 overs. It was also the first instance when Australia were unable to wrap up the opposition in the ongoing edition of the tournament. Sobhana Mostary (66* off 80 balls) became the first Bangladeshi batter to register a 50+ score in the ODI format against Australia. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (12 off 35 balls) and Sharmin Akhter (19 off 33 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits with the bat for Bangladesh.
Alana King (10-4-18-2), Georgia Wareham (7-1-22-2), Annabel Sutherland (10-1-41-2), and Ashleigh Gardner (9-0-48-2) picked up a couple of wickets each with the ball for Australia. Megan Schutt (5-1-11-1) was impressive with the ball for her side.
Alyssa Healy – Phoebe Litchfield make light work of the run chase
Chasing a total of 199 to secure a spot in the semi-final, the Australian openers Phoebe Litchfield and skipper Alyssa Healy got their side off to a cautious start in the first couple of overs. The duo grew in confidence and ticked off 78 runs in the powerplay, scoring over 7 runs and over.
There was no stopping the duo once they got off the blocks. They were definitely helped by the sloppy work in the field by the Bangladeshi unit. The gears only went upwards, and the innings went on. They took the clueless Bangladeshi bowlers to the cleaners all over the park. The pair eventually cruised over the line with an unbeaten 202-run opening partnership in the 25th over of the run chase.
Alyssa Healy (113* off 77 balls) registered her 7th ODI ton, her record 4th in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, surpassing former skipper Meg Lanning (3) in terms of the most number of centuries in the tournament. The elegant left-hander Phoebe Litchfield (84* off 72 balls) also registered her maiden half-century in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. It is also the highest successful run chase without losing a wicket in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup history, 2nd overall. She also became only the 2nd player, after former White Fern Debbie Hockley, to register successive ODI World Cup tons and the only player to do it twice.
Ritu Moni (7-0-54-0) was one of the most impressive bowlers for Bangladesh. Leg-spinner Alana King was awarded the Player of the Match for her exceptional (10-4-18-2) spell with the ball for her side. She led the spin attack and played a defining role alongside the Australian openers as they became the first team to secure a spot in the semi-final in the ongoing edition of the tournament.
Loves all things female cricket