Mostary: I am so happy about my century
Sobhana Mostary finished with 118 off 134 balls with 18 fours • Getty Images
Mostary's century, the first by a Bangladesh woman against Australia, is going to speed up her development at this level. It is only the fourth ODI century by a batter from Asia in Australia and although Bangladesh were still beaten soundly in Brisbane, it will be the touring party's biggest gain.
"I am so happy about my century," Mostary said. "I batted against a world champion team. It is the first time one of us scored a hundred in Australia. I thought about my batting style after the way I got out in the first ODI. I just realised how I can bat deep. I thought about my process. I went out there and played to my strength."
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Mostary walked into one of the toughest situations for any batter. Bangladesh were three down for just eight runs in the eighth over of the innings, in Australia of all places. She started off with a push through the covers off Megan Schutt, before finding three boundaries off legspinner Georgia Wareham's first over, all placed beautifully through point with square drives. She struck Alana King for two fours through the off side, the second one a lovely cover drive that took her to a half-century off 66 balls.
Mostary's pace allowed Nigar Sultana to settle in. She reached her century in the 45th over, which was met with screams from both batters at the crease. Mostary paid tribute to her captain, who made a patient 74. More importantly, she and Sultana added 195 runs for the fourth wicket. It is Bangladesh's highest partnership for any wicket in women's ODIs.
"Captain Joti told me to just stay out there, at least till the 40th over. Afterwards, we can maybe play our shots. We looked out for the bad ball, which we punished. We had to respect the good ball. Joti kept telling me that I am capable of scoring a century. Joti also played really well. She provided me with the support," Mostary said and gave details into their mindset going into the game - they wanted to bat out the 50 overs rather than having more ambitious plans.
"They were bowling really well. We planned to bat out the fifty overs in the first ODI too. We planned similarly today too. When I went out there, we had lost three wickets already. I managed to play the ball according to the merit, and play my own shots also. Then over to over we just executing our own strength.
"So 195 is a biggest [partnership]. So when the second drinks break, coach [David Hemp] came here and told us that we should bat at least till the 42nd over, after which we could playing attacking shots. So we just follow this process," Mostary said.
Mohammad Isam is Cricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
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