Fargana Hoque Pinky etches her name in history as the first Bangladeshi woman to achieve a maiden One Day International century, leaving an indelible mark on the record books.
During the thrilling third ODI against India in Mirpur on Saturday, Fargana, batting as an opener, reached the coveted 100-run milestone on the last ball of the 48th over with a boundary. Her innings of 107 off 160 deliveries, featuring seven fours, showcased her exceptional anchoring skills.
Prior to Fargana’s historic feat, the highest individual score for Bangladesh women in ODIs was 75, achieved jointly by Rumana Ahmed and Salma Khatun in consecutive matches against India in Ahmedabad back in 2013.
Initially batting at No. 3 in the first two matches of the series, Fargana’s promotion to the opening position, a decision taken by the management, proved to be a brilliant move that guided Bangladesh to a challenging total.
Speaking after the match, Fargana humbly stated, “At the start of the tournament, I felt I was in good flow and I was getting off to good starts. All my teammates always used to say, if someone eventually scores a century, it will be Pinky. The plan was if I batted long, we could get to 230.”
Her focus on team performance over personal milestones was evident when she said, “My hundred didn’t matter, the team getting runs was important. I was just playing ball to ball. I love to bat. It was a great opportunity for me, so I was just very happy to take it. My friends and family have always supported me, and that’s why I am being able to bat like this. And not just me, there are many good batters in our team who can do better than me.”
Fargana’s impressive record also includes a Twenty20 International hundred against Maldives in Pokhara during the 2019 South Asian Games. With 56 ODIs and 84 T20Is under her belt, she is one of the most experienced players in the women’s team, accumulating 1,240 runs in ODIs at an average of 25.83 and 1,253 runs in T20Is.
Powered by Fargana’s brilliant century, Bangladesh managed to set a formidable total of 225 runs, losing just four wickets in their allotted 50 overs – their second-highest ODI total, with the highest being 234 against Pakistan in 2022.
The match against India ended in a dramatic tie, concluding the series with a 1-1 scoreline, showcasing Bangladesh’s fighting spirit. Fargana’s name now stands alongside the likes of Mehrab Hossain Opi, the first male cricketer to score an ODI century for Bangladesh in 1999 against Zimbabwe, cementing her legacy as the first-ever Bangladeshi woman to achieve a hundred in the 50-over format.
