Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Friday, 3 October 2025 01:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Bangladesh got their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup rolling as they thumped Pakistan by seven wickets at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday, in the first match of the Colombo leg.
It was absolute domination from Bangladesh. The only thing that did not go their way was the toss. Pakistan, who won the toss and chose to bat first, were pushed onto the backfoot straight away thanks to a brilliant opening spell with the new ball by Marufa Akter, who set the tone early with a couple of wickets as the ball swung in the powerplay. Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin departed without troubling the scorers, as Pakistan were in early trouble. Following that, Pakistan batters chipped in with a few handy contributions, but once the partnership of 42 between Muneeba Ali and Rameen Shamim was broken, Bangladesh bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
After Marufa’s spell, the Bangladesh spinners took over and had Pakistan in a stranglehold. They ensured the scoreboard got nowhere; while, at the same time, chipped away at the wickets as Pakistan were skittled out for 129. Shorna Akter finished off the tail by picking three wickets, but nothing to take away from Nahida Akter and others, who choked Pakistan in the middle overs. Marufa was the only pace bowler Bangladesh used yesterday, and the five spinners took the rest of the eight wickets between them.
Bangladesh’s start to the chase wasn’t great, but the arrival of Captain Nigar Sultana got the runs flowing. In her presence, debutant Rubya Haider also gained confidence and showed her range of shots as she marked her debut with a lovely half-century (54* off 77 balls, 8 fours), sharing a 62-run stand off 77 balls. With Sobhana Mostary contributing an attractive 24* off 19 balls, Bangladesh got home at a canter in the end. Overall, it was a clinical performance by Bangladesh to outplay Pakistan.
Scores:
Pakistan 129 (38.3) (Rameen Shamim 23, Fatima Sana 22, Marufa Akter 2/31, Nahida Akter 2/19, Shorna Akter 3/5)
Bangladesh 131-3 (31.1) (Rubya Haider 54*, Nigar Sultana 23, Sobhana Mostary 24*)
