The Bangladesh women vice-captain hoped that their first win over India in international cricket would give them confidence against other top-ranked teams
Annesha Ghosh06-Jun-2018″The dream has always been to come close to beating a team like India. That we’ve beaten them is a reality.”These words from Bangladesh women’s T20I vice-captain Rumana Ahmed best encapsulates the team’s sentiments. Rumana followed figures of 3 for 21 and a run-out with an unbeaten 42 off 34 balls to lead Bangladesh to their first win over India in international cricket. Bangladesh handed India their first defeat in the Asia Cup a day after upsetting Pakistan.”When we arrived at the team hotel, the Pakistan players congratulated us in the lobby,” Rumana told ESPNcricinfo from Kuala Lumpur. “We beat them the other day, and today they were congratulating us for beating India.”For Rumana, this was “easily the most memorable day” in her career, and “perhaps in Bangladesh women’s history.” Understandably so as she starred with the bat, ball and in the field and was part of Bangladesh’s highest stand in T20Is with Fargana Hoque.”It hurts when you have to wait for your chances because you’re the ninth-ranked team,” Rumana said.”Teams like India, Pakistan – they’re in the top eight and play [ICC Women’s Championship] matches all around the year. It’s like you’re made to feel you’re not good enough, but I hope this goes some way towards changing that perception.”Rumana’s individual brilliance aside, Bangladesh’s tactical acumen and their discipline in the field would give them confidence against top-ranked teams.”If you see Harmanpreet [Kaur]’s records, she’s scored 60-70 against us every other game,” Rumana said. “I remember telling a journalist the other day that I’ve not played against too many sensible female cricketers like Harman. Most of our bowlers struggle against her because it’s difficult to contend with the power in her arms or the way she pierces the gaps. But we made sure we kept rotating our bowlers despite the terrible heat and humidity.”Having hit six fours, Harmanpreet was on course for a half-century, but a legbreak from Rumana at the end of the 16th over had the India captain miscuing a sweep to short square leg and triggered a late collapse: from 120 for 3 India went to 134 for 7. Foxing Harmanpreet: check. Fulfilling dream: check.Rumana then dismissed Deepti Sharma and Anuja Patil, but she picked out Anuja’s return catch as the best she’s taken.”During the A-team matches, I took note of her ability to play all round the wicket. So, as a wristspinner, my target was to make her play straight. I pitched up as much as possible, and there it was: she hit one straight back.”The success of chase, Rumana said, was down to the foundation laid by opener Shamima Sultana’s 33 off 23 balls. The pressure then got to Hoque and her when the asking rate jumped to nine, but they found a way keep in touch with it.”That was probably the only time I started second-guessing myself, and thought it might be a little too much for us,” Rumana told.”But when the equation came down to, 32 off 24, Fargana and I told each other that we got this. Let’s just keep calm and get this done. Just like we did the other day.”Looking back on the margin of the wins over Pakistan and India – by seven wickets each – Rumana acknowledged the contribution of former head coach David Capel, whose last assignment with the team was the South Africa tour in May. Bangladesh were blanked 5-0 and 3-0 in the ODIs and T20Is respectively, after which former India wicketkeeper Anju Jain replaced Capel.”I think 60-70 % credit of these two wins goes to him,” Rumana said. “Many of the strategies I used while bowling today were based on David’s theories. In the past 18 months, he taught us to envisage a day like today, to believe we can beat big teams. Wherever he is now, I hope he’s proud of what we achieved today.”Rumana welcomed Jain’s commitment to “giving the team time get used to her approach” and also credited the efforts of the other two Indian backroom staff assistant coach Devika Palshikar and physio Anuja Dalvi Pandit.”After the game, we asked her [Jain] jokingly about us beating India on her first assignment,” Rumana said. “Obviously, she laughed a little.””Yes, my familiarity with the Indian team helped, but the win was more about them [the Bangladesh players] executing our plans well, and us getting to chase despite losing the toss on a superb batting track,” Jain said in response.”The nature of T20 cricket is unpredictable, and we want to make it to the final. Whatever is to come, I know for a fact this team is not going to be complacent. With a victory like this, their self-belief has shot up and so will their hunger to win..”
