Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka Played on 2 March at Junction Oval, Melbourne. 

Sri Lanka 92/1 in 15.3 Overs ( Perera 39* , Jayangani 30 ) beat Bangladesh 91/8 in 20 Overs ( Nigar Sultana 39, Sriwardene 4/18 ,Kulasuriya 2/18) by 9 wickets 

Bangladesh Girls losing first three matches against India, Australia and New Zealand were already out of contention. The last match against Sri Lanka was a must win for avoiding playing in the qualification round in the next world cup. We thought after losing the previous match from a winning position against New Zealand Bangladesh think tank would have worked out strategy. We thought team management realized in the morning session in Melbourne condition ball swings and seams a bit. Moreover, it rained a bit early morning and the day was windy. On such a condition team winning the toss 90 percent time fields. Unfortunately Bangladesh winning the toss and paid the penalty of getting restricted to 91/8 in allotted overs. 

Even this could prove a challenging score. Bangladesh within their first seven balls while bowling could have had both openers back in the pavilion if they could take catches offered by them. It could be 0/2. Panic could set in Sri Lanka camp. Bangladesh failed ad getting off the hook Sri Lankans punished Bangladesh bowlers cruising to a cake walk win by 9 wickets. Bangladesh girls finished at the bottom of their group and would require playing in the qualifying round for the next world cup. 

After watching two matches of Bangladesh Women’s team at ICC T20 World Cup 2020 for the women in Junction Oval I can draw some conclusion. Bangladesh girls are very enterprising and committed to their tasks. Some of them have skills comparable even with the bests of the best. But in general most lack basic fundamental of batting and cracks under pressure.  I also do not think they are mentored or coached well. They played four matches in the ongoing world cup and lost all four. They bowled and fielded exceptionally well against India and New Zealand. But were blown away by Australia and Sri Lanka.

This is for the second time we in Melbourne witnessed Bangladesh Cricket teams (men and women) played in the world cup. In 2015 Mashrafee led Bangladesh lost played and lost two matches at MCG against Sri Lanka and India. Now in 2020 Bangladesh women team played at lost two matches at Junction oval against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Both men and women team created opportunities for winning at least one match each time. Many would say the team think tank did not have idea how to play cricket on Melbourne condition. We hope next time any team coming from Bangladesh for playing cricket in Australia should try to discuss with Australia living Bangladeshi cricket personality who mentors coaching staff in many Asian Countries about winiing playing strategy in Australia. 

BDST: 1714 HRS, MAR 02, 2020

AH