‘Amra Korbo Joy’ - Bangladesh women’s cricketers sing jubilantly after victory over Pakistan in World Cup Qualifiers

Bangladesh national women’s cricket team started their campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers on a resounding note. On Sunday, November 21, the team, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, defeated Pakistan by three wickets at the Harare Sports Club. The game went right down to the wire and the Tigresses managed to chase down the target of 202 with a mere two balls remaining in their innings.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, the Tigresses did an excellent job, restricting Pakistan to an under-par score of 201 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs. At one point in time, they had reduced their opponents to 49 for five in 17.5 overs. Nahida Akter and Ritu Moni made some crucial breakthroughs at the top. Ayesha Zafar’s run-out didn’t help Pakistan either.

From there on, Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz’s 137-run stand for the sixth wicket pulled Pakistan out of jail. Dar went on to score 87 off 111 with the help of eight fours and two sixes. She played until the penultimate over of the innings before Salma Khatun trapped her plumb in front. Riaz stayed unbeaten as she made an unbeaten 82-ball 61, guiding Pakistan to a formidable score.

Bangladesh get over the line in thriller

In the run-chase, Bangladesh lost Murshida Khatun’s wicket to Anam Amin, but Sharmin Akhter and Fargana Hoque’s 70-run stand injected momentum into the innings. The Tigresses lost three quick wickets and found themselves at 98 for four in the 36th over. The required rate, meanwhile, went up over seven.

However, Rumana Ahmed’s unbeaten 44-ball 50 kept Bangladesh in the hunt for a victory. Pakistan exerted more pressure on Bangladesh as Lata Mondal and Fahima Khatun failed to open their accounts. But a 18-run cameo from Salma Khatun helped Bangladesh get past the finish line.

After the win in the closely-fought encounter, the Bangladesh women’s cricketers celebrated jubilantly to express their joy and delight. The players sang the song ‘Amra Korbo Joy Ekdin’- the Bengali version of the song ‘We Shall Overcome Someday’. Joty and Co. are next scheduled to lock horns with the United States of America on Tuesday, November 23 in Harare itself.

Here’s the video

Bangladesh women national team singing after beating Pakistan by 3 wickets in the WC qualifiers on Sunday in Harare.

"We shall overcome,
We shall overcome
We shall overcome, someday.." pic.twitter.com/FcL6thcPJT

— Saif Hasnat (@saifhasnat) November 21, 2021