Talk of Sobhana Mostary’s potential has been a consistent element in Bangladesh women’s cricket. This promise came to fruition on Sunday in her 107th international match. Sobhana notched up an impressive 118 runs off 134 balls, featuring 18 boundaries—securing the highest-ever ODI score by a Bangladesh batter against Australia.
Though Bangladesh faced defeat in Brisbane, Mostary’s innings, the first century by a Bangladeshi woman against Australia, is a significant boost to her career development. It is only the fourth instance an Asian batter has scored an ODI century in Australia. “I am so happy about my century,” said Mostary. “I batted against a world champion team. It is the first time one of us scored a hundred in Australia. I thought about my batting style after the way I got out in the first ODI. I realised how I can bat deep. I thought about my process. I went out there and played to my strength.”
Mostary faced a challenging scenario when she took the crease, with Bangladesh having lost three wickets for just eight runs within the first eight overs. She began confidently with a push through the covers off Megan Schutt and swiftly followed with three boundaries against Georgia Wareham, finding gaps beautifully through point. Her fifty came off 66 balls, highlighted by elegant strokes, including a cover drive against Alana King.
Her steady pace allowed partner Nigar Sultana to find her footing, culminating in Mostary’s century in the 45th over to mutual cheers. This partnership with Sultana, who hit a patient 74, yielded 195 runs, marking Bangladesh’s highest stand in women’s ODIs. “Captain Joti told me to just stay out there, at least till the 40th over. Afterwards, we can maybe play our shots,” Mostary shared. “We looked out for the bad ball, which we punished. We had to respect the good ball. Joti kept telling me that I am capable of scoring a century.”
Reflecting on their strategy, Mostary said, “They were bowling really well. We planned to bat out the fifty overs in the first ODI too. We planned similarly today. When I went out there, we had lost three wickets already. I managed to play the ball according to the merit, and play my own shots also. Then over to over, we just executed our strength.”
The pair’s partnership reached 195 by the second drinks break, where Coach David Hemp encouraged them to bat until at least the 42nd over before considering more aggressive shots. Mostary fondly recalled, “So we just followed this process.”
This innings, while not altering the match outcome, certainly creates a promising trajectory for Mostary and signals a new chapter for Bangladesh’s women cricketers in international cricket.
