Sharmin shines in warm-up against England

Sharmin Akhter was amongst the runs but Bangladesh women's cricket team still suffered a 109-run thumping in their first official warm-up game against defending champions England ahead of the Tigresses' maiden appearance in the ODI World Cup, set to begin on March 4 in New Zealand.

Despite a fighting 137-ball 81 from Sharmin, Bangladesh were unable to chase down England's mammoth 310 for nine. The Tigresses were bundled out for just 201 in 49.4 overs. 

Chasing the mammoth target, Bangladesh lost opener Murshida Khatun early. After that, Sharmin strung together a 48-run stand with Shamima Sultana, who departed after a 34-ball 33. 

Since then, Bangladesh kept on losing wickets at regular intervals with Sharmin steady and scoring valuable runs from one end. 

Earlier, Natalie Sciver's 101-ball 108 and another 55-run knock from opener Lauren Winfield-Hill helped England post a daunting total.

Bangladesh will play their second official warm-up fixture against Pakistan on March 2 before kicking off their campaign against South Africa on March 5.