Sobhana Mostary believes Bangladesh can take valuable lessons from their ODI series against Australia, pointing to contributions from different batters and the need to learn how to control matches against top opposition.
Speaking at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday after returning from Australia, Mostary said the team’s performances with the bat could provide a foundation for their upcoming series against New Zealand and the West Indies.
“It was not just my century. If you look at the contributions from each of our batters, someone stepped up in each game,” she said. “First Ritu Moni, then me, Joty, Supta and Shorna. Everyone performed in their own way on different days.”
Bangladesh lost all three ODIs in Brisbane, including an eight-wicket defeat in Wednesday’s final match. But Mostary believes the experience of facing the reigning world champions can benefit the team in the challenges ahead.
“Since we managed to do this against such a good team, I think we can use that experience in our upcoming matches against New Zealand and then the West Indies,” she said.
Mostary scored 118 off 134 balls in the second ODI, becoming the first Bangladesh woman to score an ODI century in Australia. Bangladesh made 220-6 in that match, with captain Nigar Sultana Joty adding 74, but Australia chased down the target comfortably.
The batter said Australia’s ability to keep control of matches was among the key lessons for Bangladesh.
“I think they always tried to stay in control of the match or dominate it,” Mostary said. “They won the toss on all three days and chose to field. They perhaps thought they could restrict us to a total and then show their dominant cricket. That is what they did.”
She acknowledged that Bangladesh had not given their bowlers the target they wanted, adding that a total of 250 to 300 could have made the task easier.
Mostary also pointed to the difference in playing conditions and Australia’s longer history in the game.
“The wickets and the environment were quite different from what we have in our country. They play on very good wickets, which made scoring easier,” she said. “They have also been playing cricket for much longer than us, so they are ahead in every respect.”
Mostary admitted the team had struggled for motivation after disappointing results in Japan, before facing Australia. She said the century was made possible by the people who had supported her throughout her career.
“I dedicate this century to everyone who contributed to helping me reach this point,” she said.
