On Friday, Australia had no clue about two things- Windy Wellington and “Crafty” Salma Khatun.
It’s not like they meet Salma Khatun every day or every tournament to learn and unlearn things about her, just like they did with Melie. Despite being around for a very long time, for more than ten long years, the Australian team never met Salma Khatun in ODIs. When they collided, it was Australia that ended on the receiving side at least until her spell.
It was her battle to win as she stood between a comfortable chase and complete chaos. She took Bangladesh closer to a miracle and served them with the hope that did prove infectious. Sometimes, the hope and the fight do terrible things to the opponent no matter how strong they are and today was one such day. More than Salma Khatun’s spin, it was her fight that turned things around, well almost, for Bangladesh.
A windy Wellington. An unknown opponent. It was an interesting adventure to remember for Australia as they came in to chase a modest total. Bangladesh, as expected, turned to Salma Khatun earlier in the innings. She came in for the second over.
Khatun began with a short delivery but was quick enough to adjust things. Once the line was found, she kept tossing it up mostly around the middle and off. It did tempt Healy multiple times but she stayed calm for Khatun’s first 12 deliveries.
After 12 good balls, Salma Khatun finally made a mistake. A full delivery down the leg to Alyssa Healy. It was just too easy and Healy swept it for four.
Maybe, that was the setup, maybe, Khatun wanted Healy to go for it. A couple of delivery later, Healy went for it once again, and this time, Alam was standing right in front of her. She held on to it. Kisses to heaven followed.
A wicket in the 3rd over boosted Khatun’s confidence. She began to bowl quicker and almost got Haynes out in the final delivery of her that over.
It doesn’t happen every day against Meg Lanning. Every single team, no matter who they are, have struggled against the ‘Mighty’ Meg. Day in and day out, rattling the opposition has been her bread and butter. Considering today’s total was lesser than the number of runs she had scored in the last couple of matches, one would’ve expected her to finish off things and gift herself a win for turning 30. It was supposed to be the plan.
After taking her time against Alam, Lanning came across Khatun for the first time in years. She welcomed her with a good length delivery which Lanning punched off to the mid-on. There was some intent. It felt like something was going to happen. Maybe, a boundary through the point. Maybe, a lofted shot over mid-on. Every single option felt possible, thanks to the form Lanning was in.
But it wasn’t that day. It wasn’t that day where Lanning would go on and on. It wasn’t that day we would join in to praise her and watch her in awe. In fact, what followed was the exact opposite.
As Lanning looked around, Khatun knew what she wanted to do. She tossed one closer to the off-stump. Lanning got forward to defend it but to everyone’s surprise, she missed it completely as the ball went past her outside edge to kiss the off-stump.
A mixture of emotions followed.
The crowd looked lost, Lanning looked surprised, and there were celebrations all around the Bangladesh dressing room. Lanning was bowled by Khatun for a nought.
She didn’t wait for long to take down Haynes, who has also done some terrible things to opponents, in this World Cup.
Although the required run rate was lesser than four, Australia were striking below that. They were eating up deliveries more than they thought they would. Haynes had faced 21 deliveries for her seven at that time. We all knew a big shot was around the corner. Haynes decided to take on Khatun. She walked down the track and Khatun was quick enough to follow her. Haynes defended.
Haynes once again came down the track in an attempt to put an end to run draught but unfortunately, she found Pinky’s hands at the mid-off. The Bangladesh team broke into celebration, as expected. It wasn’t the moment anyone would have dreamt of but moments like this makes this World Cup the best ever.
Salma Khatun ended with the figures of 3/23 in her nine overs.
A few overs later, a couple of wickets fell as well. Mighty Australia faced some sort of fear for the first time ever in this World Cup. However, Beth Mooney, the team’s crisis manager went about her job quietly and took Australia home safe.
The result might not have gone Bangladesh’s way but the team did win multiple battles, something nobody had managed to achieve in this World Cup.
As Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana said in the post-match presentation, it was Salma Khatun’s show.
“It was her show actually… trying to keep the pressure on the Australian batters… I’m really proud of her,” she said.
Undoubtedly, the whole nation would be proud of her today.
Feature image- Getty
