In a dazzling display of power-hitting, Shorna Akter smashed a record-breaking innings for Bangladesh in their Women’s World Cup qualifier against Papua New Guinea in Nepal on Tuesday. Stepping onto the crease in the 16th over, Shorna initially took her time, facing four balls cautiously before launching a ferocious six off the fifth delivery. She went on to hit three more sixes in the next eight balls, finishing with a breathtaking strike rate of 264.28, the highest ever by a Bangladeshi woman in T20 internationals.
Her explosive knock of 37 runs off just 14 balls, including one boundary and four sixes, set the tone for Bangladesh’s commanding total of 168 for 5 wickets. Shorna’s innings not only contributed crucial runs but also propelled the team to set a new collective record for the most sixes in an innings.
Prior to this match, Bangladesh’s record for most sixes in an individual innings was three, jointly held by Ayesha Rahman Shuktara, Sanjida Islam, and Nigar Sultana Jyoti. Shorna’s innings surpassed that, while her strike rate also set a new benchmark for Bangladeshi players scoring at least 25 runs in an innings. The previous highest strike rate of 216.66 had been achieved by Fahima Khatun against Malaysia in 2019, scoring 26 not out off 12 balls.
Alongside Shorna, her teammates also contributed to the record-breaking display: Sobhana Mostari struck 2 sixes, Dilara Akter added 1, and Juwairia Ferdous Jayita hit another, taking Bangladesh’s total sixes in the match to 8—another national record. In previous matches against England, Malaysia, and Ireland, Bangladesh had managed four sixes in an innings, highlighting the significance of this achievement.
Top scorers for the team included Shorna (37 off 14 balls), Dilara Akter (35 off 29 balls), and Sobhana Mostari (34 off 24 balls), collectively ensuring that Bangladesh surpassed the 150-run mark comfortably. This innings not only demonstrated Shorna’s aggressive all-round capabilities but also strengthened Bangladesh’s position in the ongoing Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Bangladesh Six-Hitting Breakdown vs Papua New Guinea
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shorna Akter | 37 | 14 | 1 | 4 | 264.28 |
| Dilara Akter | 35 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 120.69 |
| Sobhana Mostari | 34 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 141.66 |
| Juwairia Ferdous Jayita | – | – | 0 | 1 | – |
| Team Total | 168 | 20 overs | – | 8 | – |
Shorna’s extraordinary innings, coupled with collective team effort, has set a new benchmark for Bangladesh Women’s cricket, combining individual brilliance with record-setting power-hitting.