Rumana Ahmed's hat-trick helps Bangladesh Women seal thrilling win

Rumana Ahmed's hat-trick helped Bangladesh Women register a 10-run win in a low-scoring encounter against Ireland Women in the One-Day International (ODI) at the Instonians Cricket Club, Shaw's Bridge Lower Ground in Belfast, and win the series 1-0.

With the first ODI washed out due to rain, and the second match abandoned, an unscheduled third ODI was played between the two sides on Saturday (September 10).

Jahanara Alam, Bangladesh captain, won the toss and elected to field. Amy Kenealy used the new ball to good effect as she rattled the Bangladesh top-order, dismissing Ayasha Rahman (5), Fargana Hoque (3), Rumana (0) and Fahima Khatun (0). To compound the woes, wicketkeeper-batswoman Nigar Sultana too was run out as the visitors were left reeling at 25 for 5.

Opener Sanjida Islam, who was going strong at the other end, found an able ally in Ritu Moni and the duo consolidated Bangladesh's innings with a 44-run stand for the sixth wicket. However, with the duo falling in quick succession, Bangladesh found themselves in tatters yet again with the scoreline reading 73 for 7.

Jahanara (14) and Nahida Akter (11) added some crucial runs lower down the order to take Bangladesh past the 100-run mark, before they were bowled out for 106.

In reply, Ireland got off to a steady start with Meg Kendal (23) and Cecilia Joyce (35) putting on 52 runs for the opening wicket. However, Tul Kubra's double blow helped Bangladesh claw back into the contest. She dismissed Kendal and Shauna Kavanagh without any addition of runs on the scoreboard.

Skipper Laura Delany, who walked out to bat at No 4, put on small stands with the Joyce twins - Cecilia and Isolbel and took the hosts to 79 for 3, before the Irish innings fell apart.

Legspinner Rumana trapped Kim Garth, Clare Shillington and Mary Waldron - all for ducks - as the hosts were reduced to 84 for 7. It was the first hat-trick for a Bangladesh woman in international cricket. Delany, who was witnessing a procession of wicket from the other end, soon perished by offering a return catch to Nahida.

Kenealy and Panna Ghosh too departed without scoring as the hosts folded up for 96, 10 short of Bangladesh's total.