Bangladesh Suffer Heavy Defeat Despite Sobhana Historic Century as Australia Seal Series

Australia Women handed Bangladesh a crushing nine-wicket defeat despite Sobhana Mostary’s extraordinary, record-breaking century. Powered by Georgia Voll’s explosive hundred, the hosts chased down the target with remarkable ease in Brisbane, securing the series with one match still to play.

Bangladesh endured a disastrous start after being put in to bat, losing three crucial wickets for just eight runs. Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter departed without opening their accounts, while Sharmin Sultana managed only five runs. With the team in deep trouble, Sobhana Mostary joined captain Nigar Sultana Joty to begin a determined fightback.

The pair stitched together a remarkable 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket, setting a new record for Bangladesh’s highest partnership for any wicket in women’s ODI cricket. Mostary weathered the early pressure to register her maiden ODI century, reaching the milestone off 123 deliveries. She became the first Bangladeshi batter to score a century against Australia in women’s ODIs. Her innings eventually ended at 118, featuring 18 boundaries, making it the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi woman in international cricket across all formats.

Before Mostary’s historic achievement, Bangladesh had recorded three centuries in women’s ODIs, with two scored by Fargana Hoque and one by Nigar Sultana. However, Mostary’s hundred against Australia carried special significance. Prior to this innings, the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi woman against Australia in ODIs was just 29, with no batter having managed a half-century. To achieve the feat on Australian soil made her innings even more remarkable. Meanwhile, Nigar remained unbeaten on 74 as Bangladesh finished their 50 overs at 220 for six.

However, Australia’s two opening batters, Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield, made light work of the 221-run target. They raced to 82 without losing a wicket in the first 10 overs, putting Bangladesh firmly on the back foot. Their aggressive approach laid the foundation for a comfortable victory, effectively taking the contest away from the visitors well before the scheduled finish.

Litchfield was eventually dismissed in the 20th over, with Australia’s total at 162, as Habiba Islam Pinky took a catch off the bowling of Swarna Akter. Before her departure, Litchfield smashed 70 off just 51 balls, including 11 fours and a six.

Litchfield’s dismissal did little to slow Australia’s scoring momentum. Voll continued her assault, bringing up her third ODI century off 81 balls. She remained unbeaten on 131 from 97 deliveries to guide her side to victory. Supported by Ellyse Perry, who contributed a useful 19 off 22 balls, Voll helped Australia reach the target with 131 balls to spare, sealing a dominant nine-wicket win and an unassailable lead in the series.