DHAKA, Nov 27, 2024 (BSS)- Bangladesh's off-spinner Sultana Khatun said the century of Sharmin Akhter Supta could have made their victory against Ireland in the first ODI more pleasing but they were happy to register a victory by dominating the visitors as per their desire.

Supta who missed the century by four runs, led Bangladesh from the front with 89 ball-96, to become the second Bangladeshi player to hit a 50-plus knock at a strike rate over 100.

She could have been the second Bangladeshi player after Fargana Hoque Pinky if she was able to score a century.

But her knock was instrumental in Bangladesh's 154-run victory which was their largest margin ever win in their history. The Tigress also put up 252-4, a total that was also highest for them in this format.

"The way she is batting, she has certainly batted well. This is the second time I have seen her bat so aggressively. She can bat well if she wants. It would have been even better if she scored a century," said Sultana who also contributed in the victory with three-wicket haul.

In a wicket where Supta, who made a comeback to the team after one and half years, played in aggressive mode, the other Bangladeshi batters failed to demonstrate the same.

'Actually, in ODIs, you have to play according to the situation. When she comes out, the situation was not the same what an opener faced. She might get it easier, may be the openers didn't get it same," Sultana explained.

Supta however left the ground with the help of other, which raised a prospect of her injury but Bangladesh team management confirmed that she will be okay before the second ODI on Saturday.

However Sultana said they are happy to register a victory as they have been in a state of discomfort for quite a long time after not getting expected result in ODI series against Australia and in T20 World Cup.

"Everyone tries to win the match, bring a good result for Bangladesh. Everyone tried to present themselves in a little different way to secure a victory," she remarked.

Bangladesh will use the home advantage, as coach Hasan Tillakaratne hinted the day before. While Bangladesh scored with ease, Ireland found the pitch tougher and were all out for just 98 runs. Sultana does not think the wicket was that difficult.

"Looking at the wicket today, I didn't really feel that it was a slow and low wicket. When they were bowling, some balls stayed above the chest. If it was a low wicket, the balls would have been below the knees. A couple of balls though went low, the wicket was good," She said, adding that they aimed for a 300 plus total after getting wicket easier to bat on.

"It was a 270-run wicket. Actually, our main target was to score 300. It didn't happen suddenly. But we will try to score more runs in the next match."