Sobhana’s record ton in Australia goes in vain

Tigresses were reeling at eight for three on a swing-friendly Brisbane pitch, but Sobhana Mostary produced a historic century to revive their innings against seven-time world champions Australia in the second women’s One Day International on Sunday.

The middle-order batter struck 118 off 134 balls, including 18 boundaries, to register her maiden ODI century and become the first Bangladeshi woman to score a hundred against Australia on their soil.

Sobhana celebrated reaching the landmark with a leap after taking a single off Annabel Sutherland. The 24-year-old later raised her helmet on her bat, marking a milestone she had waited eight years to achieve in international cricket.

Her 118 surpassed her previous highest score against Australia, an unbeaten 66 in Visakhapatnam last October. It was the 10th century scored by a visiting batter against Australia on home soil and the fourth in Bangladesh women’s ODI history.

Fargana Hoque Pinky scored Bangladesh’s first century, against India in Mirpur in July 2023, before adding another against South Africa in December that year. Nigar Sultana Joty scored the country’s third ODI century against Thailand in April 2025.

Sobhana’s breakthrough came after a long wait. Since making her ODI debut in Bloemfontein in May 2018, she had needed 21 innings to register her first half-century. She crossed the 50-run mark for the first time against England in Guwahati during last year’s Women’s World Cup, scoring 60.

Her recent form had shown signs of a turnaround, with three half-centuries in her previous 11 innings before Sunday’s maiden ton.

More important than the personal milestone, however, was her rescue act alongside captain Joty. The pair added 195 for the fourth wicket, a record partnership for any wicket in Bangladesh women’s cricket and the highest stand between the two sides in women’s ODIs.

Joty remained unbeaten on 74 off 114 balls, striking seven boundaries, as Bangladesh recovered to post 220-6 in their 50 overs. It was their highest ODI total against Australia, eclipsing the 198-9 they managed in Visakhapatnam last year.

Bangladesh’s start had been disastrous. Fargana fell for a 13-ball duck, caught behind off Megan Schutt, while Sarmin Sultana made five and Sharmin Akhter was dismissed for nought.

Fargana now holds the unwanted record of 12 ducks in women’s ODIs for Bangladesh.

Sobhana reached her half-century off 66 balls by hitting Alana King for four, then brought up her century in 123 deliveries. Her innings ended when she was bowled by a Schutt full toss. The Australia pacer claimed four of Bangladesh’s six wickets.

Despite Sobhana’s record-breaking effort, Bangladesh could not avoid a heavy defeat. Australia cruised to a nine-wicket victory with 131 balls to spare, sealing the series with one match remaining.

Openers Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield put the hosts firmly in control with a 162-run opening stand. Voll struck an unbeaten 131 off 97 balls, including 19 boundaries, to register her third ODI century, while Litchfield hammered 70 off 51 deliveries.

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for Bangladesh: a series-sealing defeat, but also a landmark innings from Sobhana that earned its place in the record books.