Murshida Khatun Shines as Bangladesh Women Set Up Semifinal Clash with India
Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team has set up a thrilling semifinal clash with India, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by opener Murshida Khatun. The Tigresses delivered a commanding 114-run victory over Malaysia in the Asia Cup, with Murshida leading the charge with a career-best 80 off 59 balls. This innings marked her second consecutive fifty in the tournament, following a solid performance against Thailand.
Murshida’s Explosive Start
Murshida, who has been in and out of the lineup recently, showcased her attacking mindset right from the start. Alongside Dilara Akter, she propelled Bangladesh to a flying start, reaching fifty in the Powerplay. Her aggressive approach set the tone for the innings, helping Bangladesh post their second-highest total in T20Is at 191 for two.
Reflecting on her performance, Murshida said, “I rectified the mistakes made in the previous game. From the beginning, I tried to carry the innings with singles. The start in the previous game was bad and I covered that later [with 50 off 55]. Today, the plan was to attack from the beginning.”
Skipper Joty’s Support and Big Partnerships
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty provided crucial support, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 37 balls. Together, Murshida and Joty built significant partnerships that solidified Bangladesh’s dominant position. Murshida’s innings featured 10 fours and a six, showcasing her range of classy shots, particularly her favorite cover drive.
Focus on Consistency and Future Matches
Murshida emphasized the importance of consistency, especially in high-stakes tournaments like the Asia Cup. Her recent form, including being the top scorer in the Premier League with 446 runs at an average of over 63, highlights her commitment to maintaining her process.
“It’s good when batters return to runs in a stage like the Asia Cup. We will be trying now to put on a better performance [in semis] and recover from our lackings,” she said.
Looking ahead to the semifinal against India, skipper Joty expressed confidence in her team’s abilities. “We’re looking forward to playing good cricket, and executing game plans. I have belief in my team, I know how capable they are,” she stated.
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