After causing an upset in their previous match by beating Nigar Sultana Jyoti’s Bangladesh women’s red team, the BCB under-15 boys continued their impressive run by overcoming Nahida Akter’s green side in the ongoing three-team competition.
Powered by Omer’s fluent 82 and Irfan’s handy 48, the under-15 boys posted 189. Due to rain interruptions, the Bangladesh women’s green team were given a revised DLS target of 177. Despite spirited knocks from Rubaiya Haider Jhilik (51) and Sobhana Mostary (35), Nahida’s side fell short, losing by 41 runs.
The match, held at BKSP Ground No. 3, saw an early breakthrough for the boys. Chasing 177, the women’s green team lost Sharmin Akter Supta on the first ball of the sixth over. Maheen Hossain Alif produced a sharp delivery outside off that cut back in, bowling Sharmin for just 1 off 15 balls and ending the 13-run opening stand with Dilara Akter.
Jhilik came in at number three and looked to rebuild with Dilara, but Maheen struck again. Attempting a flick off a delivery aimed at her pads, Dilara got a leading edge to short mid-on and departed for 6 off 23. With the score at 29 for 2, Jhilik and Sobhana forged a 76-run partnership but struggled to keep up with the required rate.
While Jhilik tried to push the scoring along, Sobhana’s innings was more subdued. With 72 needed from the final 36 balls, Sobhana advanced down the track to hit Abdullah for six but mistimed and was caught by Alif at long-off, departing for 35 off 56 deliveries.
Swarna Akter, coming in at number five, showed intent but fell under the pressure to accelerate. She missed a sweep against left-arm spinner Adib and was bowled for 10 off 6. Jhilik brought up her half-century from 58 balls with a sweep off Abdullah but was soon run out attempting a risky second run for 51.
After her dismissal, skipper Nahida Akter and Ira were unable to make an impact. The women’s green team finished on 135 for 7 in 30 overs. For the under-15 boys, Maheen, Adib and Abdullah each claimed two wickets to seal another memorable win.