Batting collapse leaves Windies Women, Bangladesh all square

AN ALL-ROUND bowling performance helped Bangladesh Women level their One-Day International series against the West Indies in the Caribbean yesterday, the visitors winning a low-scoring affair by 60 runs.

Sent into bat at Warner Park in St Kitts, Bangaldesh were skittled out for 184 in 48.5 overs, thanks to skipper Nigar Sultana, who scored 68 to lead the visitors, but responded brilliantly with the ball to dismiss the West Indies for 124.

Nigar struck five boundaries in her stodgy innings and proved good enough to keep the ODI series wide open.

Sobhana Mostary (23), Shorna Aster (21), and Forgana Hoque (18) helped in the battle against Karishma Ramharack, who bagged 4-33 to restrict the visitors.

Ramharack’s performance, though the best figures of the West Indians’ bowling unit, only came after Aliah Alleyne, who ended with 3-24, struck early to put the Bangladeshis under pressure.

Alleyne removed opener Murshida Khatun for 12 before Deandra Dottin took her only wicket of the innings to remove her partner at the top, Fargana Hoque, for 18.

Afy Fletcher trapped Sharmin Akhter for 11 to leave he visitors reeling at 56-3.

But Nigar remained unflappable, scoring her half-century off 120 deliveries to anchor the innings.

She would eventually succumb to Alleyne, who also bowled Fariha Trisna to wrap up the tail.

When the West Indies replied, they lost Qiana Joseph for six, but seemed to be steadying the ship with Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle looking comfortable at the crease.

However, after a rain interruption, the West Indies innings quickly fell away, with Cambelle’s 28 the standout on a dismal scorecard.

Matthews, who scored an unbeaten 104 last time out, went for 16 and Alleyne got to 15 before she was sent to the showers.

Cherry-Ann Fraser was left unbeaten on 18, as the West Indies innings collapsed in 35 overs.