Shorna Akter鈥檚 all-round heroics helped Bangladesh Women鈥檚 Green to beat Bangladesh Women鈥檚 Red by two wickets in the closing match of the Women鈥檚 Challenge Cup at the BKSP-3 on Thursday.聽
Shorna, with her legspin, took three for 29, as the Red Team were bundled out for 155 in 47.5 overs. She then scored 58 off 56 to lay the foundation for the successful chase.聽
After being asked to bat first, Red got a good start, thanks to Sharmin Sultana鈥檚 73 off 121. But apart from her and other opener Ishma Tanjim, none could even reach double figures except one batter for them.聽
Sharmin held one end, but wickets continued to crumble on the other end. She was out in the 47th over as the ninth batter of the innings.聽
Apart from Shorna鈥檚 three-for, Fariha Islam took 3-18, while Nishita Akter, Rabeya Khan, and Sultana Khatun each took one wicket.聽
The Red team struck early in the second innings as the Green became 51-3 in the 18th over. The Green lost wickets frequently, but Shorna took the game away from the Red with her explosive innings that included eight fours and one six.聽
Quick wickets of Shorna and captain Nahida Akter for two runs instilled some hope for the Nigar Sultana-led team, but Afia Asima鈥檚 unbeaten knock of 23 got the Green team home with nine balls remaining.聽
Off-spinner Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, who was surprisingly omitted from the national squad for the upcoming World Cup, took 3-28 runs. Fahima Khatun also took 3-34, while Marufa Akter took one.聽
Earlier, Under-15 boys clinched the tournament.
The Bangladesh national team will begin their World Cup on October 2 with the match against Pakistan in Colombo before playing two warm-ups against Sri Lanka on September 25 and 27, respectively.聽
