Bangladesh clinches ACC Women's Tournament in Malaysia

Reshma, Papiya, Tajkia and Shamima with the Trophy, Bangladesh v Nepal, ACC tournament, Johor, July 18, 2007 © ACC

Bangladesh emerged as a new Asian force when it clinched the ACC Women's Tournament by defeating Nepal by eight wickets in the final at Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Wednesday.

Bangladesh maintained a high level of consistency in its performance over five matches and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Panna Ghosh, the lanky all-rounder, was rewarded for valuable contributions by winning the player of the tournament award even though she remained wicketless in the final. Her final tally at the event was nine wickets and 71 runs.

Nepal was well beaten but also suffered because of rain. When it caused play to be interrupted Nepal was already struggling at 12-3 in 12 overs.

Following a four-hour delay the match was reduced to 18 overs per side which meant Nepal had only six over left to increase its total.

Nepal's batsmen tried their best to score quick runs but failed to disturb the Bangladesh bowlers who maintained a good line and length. Shamina Akhter, Salma Khatun, Tithy Sarkar and Champa Chakma took two wickets each, and Nepal was only able to reach 26-8.

Nepal put up a brave fight in defending a small total but it was not enough to prevent Bangladesh reach the victory target for the loss of just two wickets.

Bangladesh captain Tajkia Akhtar termed it as a historic tour and predicted a bright future for her team. "It has been a fabulous week that gave us the realization that we can compete at the highest level," she said.

"I am sure the uncertainty will be replaced by self-confidence and next time when we embark on any tour, we will know we can do it. We will now put in a lot of effort to improve from here and one of the ways to achieve that is to get regular opportunities to play against more experienced teams," she said.

Akhtar thanked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for keeping faith in her team and praised the organization of the event. "I think it is also a victory for the Board because at the end of the day it believed in us and knew it was an investment that was and is worth it.

"I would also like to congratulate and thank the organizers of the event for their hospitality and excellent running of the event. Everyone enjoyed the tour and we will be going home with happy memories. We also hope that we have made many new friends who will continue to follow our future progress," she said.

Ghosh's team-mate Mina Khatun was adjudged the best wicketkeeper while Hong Kong captain Neisha Pratt won the best batsman award and Nepal's Nary Thapa took home the award for the best bowler.

The increased profile and role for women's cricket in the region is all part of the ACC's five-year strategic development plan and has seen it release special funds to the non-Test playing teams for preparatory purposes.

The idea behind the drive is to synchronise women's cricket in the region among developing ICC Members and, at the same time, provide the players with match action which, it is hoped, will speed up their understanding of the game and their skill levels.

Women's cricket came under the auspices of the ICC and ACC in 2005 when the ICC merged with the International Women's Cricket Council (IWCC). Before merger, the IWCC had 15 members and since integration the women's game has grown fast and there were now 50 members with formal girls' and/or women's teams playing in structured cricket competitions.

A further 21 do not have competition teams yet but do have girls in junior development initiatives. That makes 71 of ICC's 101 members with some women's cricket and it is growing all the time.