Last Updated on 22 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Sobhana Mostary made history on Sunday, becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to score a century against Australia. In fact, Mostery’s 118 is the first time any Bangladesh player – man or woman – has hit an ODI hundred against Australia in Australia.
It was a terrific innings. Bangladesh were in all sorts of trouble at 8/3 in the eigth over as Kim Garth and Megan Schutt dominated proceedings. Mostary, along with captain Nigar Sultana, combined for a 195-run stand to get Bangladesh to a 200+ total.
Australia chased the 221-run target with ease, winning with nine wickets and 131 deliveries to spare. Georgia Voll’s 131* off 97 balls resulted in a deserved player-of-the-match award, but Mostary’s knock was the breakthrough moment of this match.
“I am so happy about my century,” Mostary said, as quoted by Cricinfo.
“I batted against a world champion team. It is the first time one of us scored a hundred in Australia. I thought about my batting style after the way I got out in the first ODI. I just realised how I can bat deep. I thought about my process. I went out there and played to my strength.”
Sobhana Mostery gives credit to captain Nigar Sultana after historic hundred
Mostery gave credit to her captain for the support out in the middle. Nigar Sultana said batting until the 40th over was key to ensure wickets in hand.
“Captain Joti told me to just stay out there, at least till the 40th over. Afterwards, we can maybe play our shots,” Mostery said.
“We looked out for the bad ball, which we punished. We had to respect the good ball. Joti kept telling me that I am capable of scoring a century. Joti also played really well. She provided me with the support.”
Mostery said that Bangladesh’s plan was to bat 50 overs. Showing resistance against the strongest of opponents away from home is important for their development.
“They were bowling really well. We planned to bat out the fifty overs in the first ODI too,” Mostery said.
“We planned similarly today too. When I went out there, we had lost three wickets already. I managed to play the ball according to the merit, and play my own shots also. Then over to over we just executing our own strength.”
Mostery finished with 18 fours in her 134-ball knock. She brought up her hundred off 123 balls, sparking scenes of jubilation at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Her score of 118 is also the highest-ever for Bangladesh in women’s ODIs, going past Fargana Hoque’s 107 achieved against India in Mirpur in 2023.
