Tigresses tie ODI series in Mirpur thriller

Bangladesh and India shared the three-match ODI series after the third and final match which turned out to be deciding game ended in a tie following the Tigresses' brilliant performance at Sher-E- Bangla National Cricket Stadium here today.

The hosts won the rain-hit first game by 40 runs before India clawed back to level the series with a massive 108-run victory in the second game.

India appeared to win the series deciding game with ease after Bangladesh put up 225-4, thanks to Fargana Hoque Pinky who hit 107 and became the first Bangladeshi woman cricketer to score a century in International cricket for the country.

With India holding the edge, Bangladesh forced a collapse after brief rain-break that saw the visitors losing six wickets for 36 runs to be all out for 225 in 49.3 overs. Since there was no super over, the match was declared tie and the series was shared.

Harleen Deol made team-high 77 for India while Smriti Mandhana scored 59. Harleen was adjudged player of the match and Fargana bagged the player of the series award.

Fargana and her opening partner Shamima Sultana justified the captain Nigar Sultana Joty's decision to bat first, sharing 93-run for the opening stand with the later making 52, before Sneh Rana had her caught by captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

Sneh Rana who took 2-45 also claimed the wicket of Joty after she scored 24.

Fargana brought up her century off 156 balls with seven boundaries but was run out in the last ball of the innings after scoring 107. Sobhana Mostary was not out on 23.

Fargana went past Rumana Akter and Salma Khatun, who made identical, as the highest individual run-getter for Bangladesh.

Pace sensation Marufa Akter gave Bangladesh a terrific start, dismissing Shafali Verma with a return catch in the second over of the innings and then Sultana Khatun compounded India's problem, getting the better of Yastika Bhatia, who looked visibly unsatisfied with her leg-before decision as she indicated the ball might go down the leg side.

With India at 32-2, Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol brought the side back into the contention with 107-run partnership.

Fahima Khatun broke through with the wicket of Mandhana after she made 59 off 85 with five fours.

Nahida Akter further gave Bangladesh the edge when Harmanpreet Kaur was caught by Fahima but the batter was displeased as she suggested the bat didn't connect the ball. She, however, reacted with venom by breaking the stump.

The rain intervened with India at an advantageous 173-4 with Harleen playing astutely.

The rain-break seemed to be a mental distraction for the India batters as they started losing wickets at regular intervals. The rot began with Harleen after she was trapped run out.

Jemimah Rodregues kept one end with utmost confidence to take the game deep but Bangladesh bowlers kept striking regularly.

India went into the last over with just three needing to win but they had one wicket at hands. No.11 batter Meghna Singh who hit a boundary in the penultimate over came to strike after Jemimah took a single to level the score. But Meghna was edged a moving delivery of Marufa behind the wicket as Bangladesh avoided the defeat. Jemimah was left stranded with 33.

Nahida Akter was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with 3/37 while Marufa snapped up two for 55.