Bangladesh Women’s Team Off to a Strong Start Against Thailand The Bangladesh women’s cricket team has kicked off their series against Thailand with an impressive showing, dominating the opening match. Batting first, Bangladesh posted a formidable total of 182 runs in 20 overs. Opener Sharmin Akhter led the charge with a blistering 78 runs off 57 deliveries, while captain Salma Khatun contributed a valuable 46. In response, Thailand struggled to keep up with Bangladesh’s bowling attack. Left-arm spinner Fahima Khatun wreaked havoc, taking 4 wickets for just 10 runs. Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed also chipped in with two wickets each. Thailand’s batsmen were unable to build substantial partnerships, ultimately falling short by a 53-run margin. Only Natthakan Chantam had any significant contribution, scoring 47 runs off 34 balls. The victory marks a strong start for Bangladesh, who are looking to secure a series win and improve their position in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings. The two teams will face off again in the second match of the series on Tuesday, with Bangladesh aiming to continue their winning streak. Bangladesh’s performance is a testament to the progress made by their women’s cricket team in recent years. With a number of talented young players coming through the ranks, the team has the potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.## Bangladesh Women’s Hockey Team Starts Junior AHF Cup with a Win
## Bangladesh Women’s Hockey Team Starts Junior AHF Cup with a Win Bangladesh’s women’s hockey team made a strong start in the Junior Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup (U-21) tournament, securing a 5-4 victory over Thailand in their opening match in Singapore on Saturday, June 15th. Reaching Singapore on Thursday, the team displayed impressive skill and resilience. They scored 3-3 goals in the first half, with Orpita Pal contributing two goals from a penalty corner and a penalty shot. Nadira Talukder Ema, Fatema Tuz Zohora, and Kona Akter each added a goal to Bangladesh’s tally. In their next match on Sunday, June 16th, the Bangladesh women’s team will face Hong Kong (China). They will continue their journey, playing against Sri Lanka (June 18th), Chinese Taipei (June 19th), Indonesia (June 22nd), and Singapore (June 23rd). Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s defending champions men’s team will begin their campaign against hosts Singapore on Sunday, June 16th. They will face Sri Lanka (June 17th), Thailand (June 19th), and Indonesia (June 20th). The tournament is also a qualifier for the 2024 Junior Asia Cup, with the best two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
Despite the absence of key players, the Bangladesh women’s team got their SAFF Championship campaign off to a winning start, beating hosts Nepal 3-1 in the tournament opener at the Dasharath Stadium on Monday. Forward Sabina Khatun put Bangladesh ahead in the 11th minute, tapping home a cross from the right flank. Nepal equalized through a penalty converted by Sabitra Bhandari in the 21st minute. Bangladesh regained the lead in the 29th minute through Maria Manda, who headed in a corner from captain Sabina Khatun. Forward Shamsunnahar Jr. sealed the victory for Bangladesh in the 72nd minute, scoring a superb individual goal. Bangladesh coach Golam Rabbani Choton praised his team’s performance, particularly in the second half. “We played a good game, especially in the second half. We created many chances and scored three goals. I am happy with the performance of the team,” said Choton. Nepal coach Hari Khadka admitted that his team was not at their best. “We did not play well today. We made many mistakes and conceded three goals. We need to improve our performance in the next game,” said Khadka. Bangladesh will next face Bhutan on Thursday, while Nepal will take on Sri Lanka on the same day.
