Online Desk: Shorna Akter was recognised for her efforts as the middle-order batter became the only Bangladeshi to feature in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament, published by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday. The hard-hitting batter left an impression in the tournament with her lusty blows and proactive nature with the bat. The batter was also among the five nominees for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Shorna also hit a total of six maximums, only behind India’s Shafali Verma who leads the chart for most sixes with seven maximums, throughout the tournament. Among those, the fan favourite was her massive six over deep mid-wicket against Australia in their historic victory in the tournament opener. Shorna, who is one of three players alongside Under-19 skipper Disha Biswas and Marufa Akter called up for Bangladesh’s squad for next month’s Women’s T20 World Cup, accumulated 153 runs in five matches, batting at a strike rate of 157.73.

The 16-year-old recorded scores of 20 or more in all the games, with her highest score of 50* helping Bangladesh register a 10-run win over Sri Lanka in the group stage. It was, in the end, a tournament of mixed emotions for Bangladesh. The young Tigresses started with a convincing win over tournament favourites Australia and went on to win two more to qualify for the Super Six as group winners. However, a loss to hosts South Africa in the Super Six saw Bangladesh bow out of the tournament due to net run-rate, despite winning their final game against the UAE.