ICC Women World Cup 2022: We bowled well but batting needs to be worked upon – Nigar Sultana after big loss against India

Bangladesh Women skipper Nigar Sultana stated that they bowled well against India but batting needs to be worked upon after losing the 22nd match of the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2022 by a massive margin of 110 runs at the Seddon Park, Hamilton on Tuesday.

Bangladesh did well to restrict India to 229 runs after Mithali Raj won the toss and elected to bat first.

Ritu Moni was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers as she scalped three wickets and conceded 37 runs in her 10 overs. Furthermore, Nahida Akter snared two wickets in the nine overs she bowled.

But Bangladesh could not get going with the bat as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Nigar Sultana-led team lost half of their side for only 35 runs and it was always going to be an uphill task for them. The middle-order was a major disappointment for Bangladesh as Sharmin Akhter, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana, and Rumana Ahmed could not even get to double-digit scores.

Nigar Sultana said in the post-match presentation, “I think it is difficult when you lose a lot of early wickets. We need to work on it. We bowled well, put pressure on India at times. But the batting needs to be worked upon. Shamima wasn’t playing today, so that’s why I had to keep wickets today. Controlling the nerves in crunch situations is something we need to learn. We didn’t get enough partnerships in this game and also in the last match. That’s what cost us the games. Bowlers did wonderfully well today, especially Salma and Ritu. Lots of positives for us.”

On the other hand, Yastika Bhatia scored a fine knock of 50 runs off 80 balls for the Indian team and helped them post 229 runs on the board. Ergo, Bhatia was awarded the Player of the Match award for her fine batting show.

She said after the game, “Very pleased, I would have liked some more runs to contribute to the team, but nevertheless, very happy with the result. In domestic, I’d prepared for No. 3 and it was always in mind that whichever order I get, I’ll have to contribute for the team. So the preparation was according to that. Sometimes the wicket is not that good, so singles and strike rotation will be in my mind. It’s my first Man of the Match in internationals, it really means a lot.”

Bangladesh Women will next lock horns against Australia at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Friday.