South Asian Games 2019: Bangladesh Women notch up record-breaking 249-run T20 victory against Maldives Women 

What's the story?

Bangladesh Women’s team recorded the second biggest win in T20 cricket history by crushing Maldives Women by 249 runs in the ongoing South Asian Games 2019. With this victory, Bangladesh have solidified its top spot in the points tally.

The background

Bangladesh Women have been in a phenomenal form of late. They kicked off their South Asian Games 2019 campaign with a 7-wicket victory against Sri Lanka Women. Next, they decimated the host nation Nepal by 10 wickets before taking the field against Maldives Women on Thursday, 5th December.

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The heart of the matter

Playing at Pokhara, Bangladesh Women won the toss and captain Salma Khatun elected to bat first. Though Maldives were the minnows in this contest, they sent both the opening Bangladesh batters to the pavilion in the first two overs. However, Nigar Sultana and Fargana Hoque slammed a century each to turn the tables in Bangladesh’s favour.

Sultana scored 113 runs while Hoque contributed 110 runs in their unbeaten partnership of 236 runs for the third wicket. The duo slammed 34 fours and 3 sixes in their 108-ball stand. Shamma Ali emerged as the pick of the bowlers from Maldives with figures of 1/38.

Chasing a target of 256 runs, Maldives Women lost all their wickets for just 6 runs. Ali proved to be the best batter from the team with 2 runs off 12 deliveries. Ritu Moni and Khatun picked three wickets each to send their rivals packing. Only three of Maldives’ batters could open their account in the innings which lasted 12.1 overs.

What’s next?

Bangladesh Women have sealed their place in the cricket event’s final. The fixture between Sri Lanka and Nepal has become a virtual semifinal now as the winner of that game will progress to the final.