A sensible batting by lower order Ritu Moni in a disasterous moment powered Bangladesh to achieve a precious two wickets victory over Ireland in their 2nd match of the six- nation ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers at the flood light Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore Sunday night.
A marvelous batting of the match highest 67 runs off 61 balls featuring six four and one six by number six batter Ritu Moni gave lifeline to Bangladesh in the day's crucial victory with eight balls remaining.
This was the 12th victory for Bangladesh women's in their 17th ODI meeting with the Ireland since 2011.
With the day's victory, Bangladesh topped the list in. the six-team tournament securing full four points from straight two matches with a comfortable net run rate of + 1,899.
Hosts Pakistan and scotland followed Bangladesh also four points each playing two and three matches respectively.
Bangladesh, which made a flying start in the ongoing meet crushing Thailand by a massive 178 runs featuring a lot of records last Thursday, today faced initial batting collapses losing first two wickets for just two runs in 4.2 overs.
Chasing a target of 236 runs, Bangladesh lost top two wickets of Fargana Hoque (0) and Ishma Tanjim (2) cheaply but finally reached their target scoring 240 runs for eight in 48.4 overs.
Later, one down Sharmin Akter pairing captain Nigar Sultana Joty tried their best to repair the early damage scoring 52 runs in the 3rd wicket stand.
Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Bangladesh to face Ireland Sunday
Nigar Sultana Joty, who guided Bangladesh in their record margin victory against Thailand in the first match scoring her maiden and quick century, today also made a half century with 51 runs off 68 balls, featuring seven boundaries, apart from Ritu Moni's brilliant innings.
Besides, lower order Fahima Khatun made 38-ball 28 runs including two boundaries,one down Sharmin Akter scored a patient 24 runs off 45 balls hitting two fours,
Orla Prendergast and Arlene Kelly captured two wickets each giving awar runs respectively.
Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, the Irish women's scored a moderate 235 runs for 8 in stipulated 50 overs featuring a 72- run 4th wicket partnership by Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany.
Number five batter Laura Delany contributed the match highest 63 runs off 75 balls hitting six boundaries while two down Orla Prendergast scored 64-ball 41 runs with the help of three fours.
Besides, one down Amy Hunter (33), captain cum opening batter Gaby Lewis (24), lower order Arlene Kelly (24), Leah Paul (19) and Christina Coulter Reilly (10) were other notable scorers for Ireland reaching the double figures..
Spinner Rabeya Khan was the successful among the Bangladesh bowlers claiming three wickets for 39 runs in her 10 over spell, Fahima Khatun grabbed two wickets for 50 runs in eight overs while Jannatul Ferdous took one for 42 runs.
In the remaining league basis matches of the ongoing meet, Bangladesh will play Scotland on April 15 (Tuesday), West Indies on April 17 (Thursday) and hosts Pakistan on April 19 (Saturday).