COLOMBO: Clinical Bangladesh thumped Pakistan to start their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 on a winning note here at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Set a partly 130-run target, Bangladesh hit the winning runs with ease on the loss of only three wickets with 19 overs to spare.
In defense of a below-par total, Pakistan removed Bangladesh’s Fargana Hoque in the third over. She departed after scoring two runs. Rubya Haider held one end firm with the second wicket falling on the last ball of the 11th over.
Rameen Shamim trapped Sharmin Akhter lbw to give Pakistan a glimmer of hope. As a result, Bangladesh were reduced to 35-2.
However, skipper Nigar Sultana and Rubya Haider forged a 62-run stand on the third wicket, which never allowed Pakistan to make a comeback into the match.
The partnership eventually ended with Sultana’s wicket, who made 23 from 44 balls.
Meanwhile, Rubya kept on scoring and reached her half-century in the process. She crafted another stand off 34* runs, which saw Bangladesh reach home.
Rubya Haider remained unbeaten on 54 from 77 balls, striking eight fours, whereas Sobhana Mostary struck six boundaries on her way to 24 from 19.
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For Pakistan, like batting, there weren’t major contributions. Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, and Fatima Sana picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter’s bowling spells helped Bangladesh bowl Pakistan for a modest total.
Pakistan could not capitalize on the decision to bat first at R. Premedasa Stadium, Colombo, and were bowled out for 129 runs in 38.3 overs.
Marufa Akter piled up a miserable start for Green Shirts as Omaima Sohail and inform Sidra Amin were sent packing for nought in the first over.
Following the early hiccup, Muneeba Ali and Rameen Shamim put on a brief 42-run stand, which gave their team some respite.
However, Nahida Akter struck in the 11th and 13th over to remove both batters, which put Bangladesh on top. Muneeba scored 17 from 35 deliveries, whereas Rameen struck two fours in her 23 from 39 balls.
As a result, Pakistan slumped to 47-4 in 13.4 overs, and Bangladesh continued to put pressure with regular wickets.
It was a day of collapses for Pakistan as they lost wickets one after another in quick succession.
For Bangladesh, Shorna Akter picked up three wickets. Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter were clinical with the ball and scored two apiece.
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