sports reporter/

Bangladesh girls got off to a good start by beating Thailand by 9 wickets in the first match of the Asia Cup. Thailand captain decided to bat against Bangladesh after winning the toss. Thailand’s batting line-up collapsed for 82 runs in 19.4 overs in front of the brilliant bowling of the red and green representatives. Among the Thai batters, Pannita Maya scored the highest 26 runs off 22 balls.

Among the bowlers of Bangladesh team, Romana Ahmed took 3 wickets with 9 runs. Nadia Akhtar, Sanjida Akhtar Meghla and Soheli Akhtar took two wickets each. Salma Khatun took the other wicket.

In response to Thailand’s 83 runs, the representatives of red green won the match by losing the wicket of opener Shamima Sultana by 9 wickets. Opener Shamima Sultana was dismissed for 49 runs off 30 balls. He missed out on a half century by one run. Negara Sultana Jyoti Bahini collected 88 after losing 1 wicket in 11.4 overs. Farzana Haque Pinki remained unbeaten with 26 runs from 29 balls and captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti with 10 runs from 11 balls. Bangladesh girls left the field winning the match by 9 wickets with 50 balls in hand.

Digar Sultana Jyoti Bahini defeated Thailand by 11 runs in the T20 World Cup Qualifier held in the United Arab Emirates. In the T20 ranking, the girls of Bangladesh are at the ninth place. On the other hand, Thailand is in the eleventh place. Although the gap in ranking is not much. The Red Green representatives have won their last five matches against Thailand. The victories of these five matches are respectively by 11 runs, 70 runs, 3 wickets, 6 wickets and 9 wickets. In terms of strength, Bangladeshi girls are ahead. The reigning champion of the Asia Cup is the Sultana Jyoti Bahini League. This time the captain of the Bangladesh team has expressed his determination to retain the title at home. In 2018, Bangladesh girls beat India in the final of the Asia Cup held in Malaysia and won the title. The Asia Cup is being held in Sylhet twice because of Corona.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will face India in the second match of the Asia Cup on Saturday (October 1). The match will be held at 1.30 pm.