Mostary steers Bangladesh to 198/9 in CWC25 tie

Australia piled the pressure on Bangladesh, reducing them to nine wickets down in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash against Bangladesh on Thursday. Sobhana Mostary played a crucial knock but lacked support from the other end as wickets kept tumbling around her.

Gardner struck twice in quick succession to leave Bangladesh three down before Alana King contributed with the important wicket of Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty. King struck again to remove Shorna Akter.

Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wrexham continued their fine spells, cleaning up the middle and lower order by sharing four wickets between them.

Gardner broke a 41-run partnership between Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akter, who had steadied the innings after Fargana Haque’s early dismissal. Haider, who had been anchoring the innings, was the first to fall as she caught out. Akter followed soon after, mistiming a shot straight to mid on as Gardner completed a double strike.

Joty was the next to depart, undone by a sharp piece of wicketkeeping from Alyssa Healy. Attempting to play down the ground, she was beaten by the turn and the Australian captain whipped off the bails in a flash.

Gardner broke a 41-run partnership between Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akter, who had steadied the innings after Fargana Haque’s early dismissal. Haider, who had been anchoring the innings, was the first to fall as she caught out. Akter followed soon after, mistiming a shot straight to mid on as Gardner completed a double strike.

After Bangladesh's Nigar Sultana Joty won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia, Bangladesh got off to a steady start before Megan Schutt struck with the wicket of Farzana Haque, just before the end of the first powerplay.

Haque tried to drive the ball past cover but was caught out at slips as Australia got their first breakthrough.

While Australia have remained unbeaten so far in the tournament, Bangladesh are looking to bounce back after the solitary win against Pakistan in their opening game.

Alyssa Healy's Australia chased down a record total against hosts India at the same venue, apart from their wins against New Zealand and Pakistan, with the Sri Lanka match resulting in a washout.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, started their campaign with a win against Pakistan while losing to England and New Zealand, followed by a close defeat against South Africa.

AUSTRALIA WOMEN: Alyssa Healy (C)(WK), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.

BANGLADESH WOMEN: Rubya Haider, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana Joty (C)(WK), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Mst Ritu Moni, Nishita Akter Nishi, Fariha Trisna.