Joty’s blistering century and record double five-wicket hauls power Bangladesh to dominant World Cup Qualifier win

Bangladesh kicked off their ICC Women's ODI World Cup Qualifier campaign in sensational style, dismantling Thailand by 178 runs on 10 April 2025 in Lahore, while setting a host of records — including a world first in women's ODIs as two bowlers took five wickets each in the same innings.

Though the ICC rankings suggest only a narrow gap — Bangladesh at seventh, Thailand at ninth — the difference in quality was overwhelming on the pitch. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana led from the front with a rapid century, while spinners Fahima Khatun and Jannatul Ferdous Sumona combined for a historic bowling performance.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, Bangladesh posted their highest-ever total in women's ODIs — 271 for 2 — surpassing their previous best of 252 against Ireland.

Nigar was at the heart of the effort, reaching her century in just 78 balls — the fastest ODI hundred by a Bangladeshi woman. She finished on 101 off 80 deliveries, striking 15 fours and one six — also a national record for most boundaries in a women's ODI innings.

Sharmin Akhter played a key supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 94 from 126 balls, narrowly missing out on a maiden century yet again. Previously, she had fallen for 96 against Ireland in November, making her the only Bangladeshi woman to be stranded in the 90s more than once.

Fargana Hoque added 50 runs of her own, bringing up her 14th ODI half-century. Together with Sharmin, she shared a 104-run stand for the second wicket. Later, Nigar and Sharmin built a record 152-run third-wicket partnership — Bangladesh's highest in women's ODIs for any wicket.

It was also the first time in the team's ODI history that three batters scored 50 or more in a single innings, and the first instance of two century stands in one match for Bangladesh.

Chasing 272, Thailand began with promise, reaching 38 without loss. However, once Channida Sutthiruang was dismissed in the ninth over, their innings collapsed.

Spinners Fahima and Sumona ran riot from both ends. Sumona, returning to the ODI setup after nearly seven years, took 5 for 7 in a dream comeback performance. Fahima matched her with figures of 5 for 21 — together creating history as the first-ever pair in women's ODI cricket to claim five-wicket hauls in the same innings.

Sumona had taken no wickets in her debut series back in 2018, but this time needed just one run to claim five wickets at one point. Though her final figures were slightly more expensive, her impact was no less historic.

Fahima sealed the match by taking the final Thai wicket, completing her maiden five-for and confirming Bangladesh's largest victory in women's ODIs — eclipsing the previous 154-run win over Ireland.

Bangladesh will face Ireland in their second group stage match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, 13 April.