Fariha Trisna’s impressive hat-trick in the second T20I against Australia may have been a moment to celebrate, but it ultimately came in a losing cause. Despite her stellar bowling performance, Bangladesh fell short by 58 runs, conceding the three-match series 2-0 to the visitors.
Trisna’s hat-trick came in dramatic fashion, dismissing Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, and Beth Mooney off the last three balls of the Australian innings. This feat marked her second T20I hat-trick, the first one coming against Malaysia in her debut during the 2022 Asia Cup.
A Bittersweet Achievement for Trisna
While proud of her personal milestone, Trisna expressed disappointment at the team’s overall performance. “It feels good to get my second hat-trick,” she said. “But it is disappointing that we lost the game. If the team had won, the personal achievement would have felt much better.” Trisna emphasized the importance of team success, acknowledging that her achievement would have held greater significance with a victory.
Following a back injury last October that sidelined her for six months, Trisna’s return to form is a testament to her dedication. She credited former Sri Lankan fast bowler Champaka Ramanayake for helping her regain her rhythm during a bowling camp. “My first plan was to recover from my injury,” she said. “After my rehab was completed, I was lucky to do the bowling camp under Ramanayake. It really helped me.”
The Two-Paced Attack Dilemma
Trisna’s presence alongside Marufa Akter in the second T20I raised questions about Bangladesh’s bowling strategy. With Akter emerging as the team’s pace mainstay in Trisna’s absence, the question of fielding two pacers on Bangladesh’s slow and low home surfaces remains a challenge.
However, Trisna believes that success can pave the way for a two-pronged pace attack. “If we start doing well as a team, we can have two pacers in the line-up,” she said. She acknowledged Marufa’s talent, stating, “There’s no competition with Marufa, who is a world-class bowler. She has everything.”
Recognition from Opponents and Looking Ahead
Australia’s Grace Harris, who played a crucial knock for the visitors, offered praise for Trisna’s bowling. “Fantastic for her,” Harris said. “I think she gets really good, late shape back into the right-hand batter.” Harris highlighted Trisna’s potential for further development and her effectiveness with the new ball.
At 21 years old, Trisna joins an exclusive club of women’s bowlers to achieve two T20I hat-tricks, following in the footsteps of Uganda’s Concy Aweko and Hong Kong’s Kary Chan. This young talent looks to continue her growth and contribute to Bangladesh’s success, potentially paving the way for a more diverse bowling strategy in the future.
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