Riding on the excellent batting performance of Murshida Khatun, captain Nigar Sultana and an outstanding bowling show from Fariha Trishna, Bangladesh outplayed Malaysia by 88 runs in the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup on Thursday in Sylhet.

While Murshida and Nigar hit a fifty each, Fariha, the left-arm bowler, picked up a hat-trick on debut. It was the first instance of a Bangladeshi woman bowler recording a hat-trick in her first appearance in a T20I.

During the sixth over of Malaysia's innings, Fariha sent back Winifred Duraisingam, Mas Elysa and Mahirah Izzati Ismail off three consecutive deliveries. She conceded only 12 runs in four overs to end her bowling taking three wickets.

Bangladesh batted first in this match after winning the toss and posted 129 runs for five wickets in 20 overs. Shamima Sultana, the Bangladesh opener, suffered a duck off the first ball of the match. But Murshida and Nigar guided Bangladesh to a big total.

In reply, Malaysia tumbled for 41 runs all out in 18.5 overs. None of their batters was able to reach a double-digit innings. Five of their batters were sent back with a duck to their names.

While Fariha bagged three wickets, Fahima Khatun, Sanjida Akter Meghla and Rumana Ahmed took two wickets each.

It was Bangladesh’s second win in three matches so far in the event.

India are currently at the top of the table with six points in three wins out of three matches. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have secured equal points but are ahead of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for their better run rate.

In their next three matches, Bangladesh will take on India, Sri Lanka and the UAE on October 8, 10 and 11.