Sobhana Mostary’s long-anticipated potential finally came to fruition on Sunday when she scored a historic century against Australia in her 107th international match.
Her hundred was the first by a Bangladesh woman against Australia. It was also only the fourth ODI century by an Asian batter in Australia. Although Bangladesh suffered a heavy defeat in Brisbane, Mostary’s innings was a major positive for the touring side and is expected to accelerate her development at the international level.
“I am so happy about my century,” Mostary said. “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 just realised how I can bat deep. I thought about my process. I went out there and played to my strength.”
Mostary came to the crease in a difficult situation. Bangladesh had lost three wickets for just eight runs by the eighth over, in Australia of all places.
She opened her account with a push through the covers off Megan Schutt before striking three boundaries in leg-spinner Georgia Wareham’s first over. All three were beautifully placed through point with square drives. She then hit Alana King for two fours through the off side, the second a superb cover drive that brought up her half-century off 66 balls.
Her steady scoring allowed captain Nigar Sultana to settle at the other end. Mostary reached her century in the 45th over, prompting celebrations from both batters at the crease.
She credited Sultana, who scored a patient 74, for providing crucial support. The pair added 195 runs for the fourth wicket, Bangladesh’s highest partnership for any wicket 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. 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. Joti also played really well. She provided me with the support,” Mostary said.
She also explained the team’s approach heading into the match. Rather than setting overly ambitious targets, Bangladesh aimed to bat through the full 50 overs.
“They were bowling really well. We planned to bat out the fifty overs in the first ODI too. We planned similarly today too. 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 executing our own strength.
“So 195 is a biggest [partnership]. So when the second drinks break, coach [David Hemp] came here and told us that we should bat at least till the 42nd over, after which we could playing attacking shots. So we just follow this process,” Mostary said.
