Supta dreamt of ‘making a strong comeback’

Experienced Bangladesh batter Sharmin Akhter Supta made a sensational return to the national side as she struck a career-best 89-ball 96 in the Tigresses' record 154-run win over Ireland in the first of three ODIs in Mirpur yesterday. Had she not been caught at mid-off while trying to ratchet up the scoring rate in the latter stage of the innings, Supta could have become only the second Bangladeshi woman batter to score an ODI hundred after Fargana Hoque, who scored both the ODI hundreds for Bangladesh. Playing her first international game since July 2023, she also had cramps while fielding which forced her to leave the ground. After the match, the 28-year-old batter talked to The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan regarding her comeback, preparation, and yesterday's match-winning knock. The excerpts of the interview are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): First of all, congratulations on such a comeback. How do you feel after your career-best knock?

Sharmin Akhter Supta (SAS): I played my last match at this venue [against India]. When I was called up, I had a dream of making a strong comeback at this venue. We played a lot of matches among ourselves, keeping the Ireland series in mind. I had some decent scores during those matches. I think it gave me the confidence to do well.

DS: How do you rate your innings?

SAS: I'm happy to score runs for the team. I think it's the best feeling for me. I'm not really too excited, but I hope I will continue performing.

DS: You made a comeback in the national squad after 16 months. What was going on in your mind when you were called up?

SAS: I was preparing individually for a long time. I aimed to perform well in the [Women's Dhaka] Premier League but I couldn't do well there [161 runs in eight innings for Bangladesh Ansar and VDP]. Then I performed well in the NCL T20 [154 runs in six innings]. I tried to develop my practice on the basis of those performances.

DS: Do you regret missing out on your maiden ODI hundred, which could also have been the fastest by a Bangladeshi woman in the format?

SAS: I think scoring a hundred is a matter of luck. I was actually trying to push the team total beyond 250. Our bowlers did tremendously well in this contest. The wicket was really good but if they slipped even a little bit, it could have been a different game as Ireland also had three to four good batters. That's why I went for scoring runs. I felt that if we could score a very good total, our bowlers would be more relaxed.

DS: When you got dropped from the side, you worked with coach Mohammad Salahuddin on your batting techniques. Can you tell us more on that matter?

SAS: Not only after getting dropped, but I have been working with Salahuddin sir on and off for a long time. Sir always tells me to develop my game and motivates me to play well.

DS: Bangladesh got a good start in the series. We all know how important the series is for your side. What will be your plan for the next two games?

SAS: I think the plan will be the same. We need to play according to the needs of the team. I hope we will perform well in the remaining games as well.