Captain Nigar Sultana Joty smashed a 78-ball hundred while the spin duo Fahima Khatun and Jannatul Ferdus each took a record-breaking five-wicket haul as Bangladesh began the ICC Women鈥檚 Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier with a record 178-run victory over Thailand at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground on Thursday.
After putting on 271-3 in 50 overs, Bangladesh dismantled Thailand for just 93 runs in 28.5 overs as Fahima and Jannatul shared all the wickets. This is for the first time that two bowlers have taken five-wicket hauls in the same innings in WODI history.
Bangladesh, after being asked to bat first, lost opener Ishma Tanjim early, but a second wicket partnership of 104 runs off 141 balls between Farzana Haque (53 off 82) and Sharmin Akter laid a solid foundation.
Joty then came out with all guns blazing as she reached her first hundred, Bangladesh鈥檚 third ever, in this format.
In the final over of Bangladesh鈥檚 innings, Joty brought up her century with her 15th boundary before being caught by Aphisara Suwanchonrathi for 101 in the last ball of the innings.
Her 15 boundaries are the highest by any Bangladeshi batter, as Joty added 152 runs with Sharmin for the third wicket, also the highest for any wicket for Bangladesh.
This is also the first time Bangladesh saw two hundred-run partnerships in the same innings.
Sharmin came six runs short of a maiden international century as she remained unbeaten on 94, the second-highest score of her career, as Bangladesh set Thailand 272 to win.
The chase started brightly for Thailand, but Fahima鈥檚 first ball of the tournament broke Thailand鈥檚 resistance as Chanida Sutthiruang was bowled for 22.
Leg-spinner Fahima then ran through the top order to leave Thailand reeling at 47-3 in the 15th over.
From there, Jannatul took over the wicket-taking mantle as she claimed five wickets by giving away only seven runs to destroy the Thai middle order.
Jannatul, who was playing her first ODI since 2018, became only the 13th bowler in WODI history to grab five wickets at an expense of below 10 runs. With one wicket remaining, Fahima had the opportunity to claim a first five-for of her 12-year career and did so as Thailand were dismissed for 93. Fahima ended with a figure of 5-21.
The big win brought Bangladesh a hefty net run rate of 3.560 and put them at the top of the table. They will take on Ireland on April 13 at the Gaddafi Stadium in their next match.
Two teams will go through the qualifiers to the World Cup, which will be held in India later this year.