A superb all-round bowling display powered Bangladesh to a convincing start in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, as they bundled out Pakistan for just 129 before sealing a seven-wicket win at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.
Bangladesh Bowlers Dominate Early
Pakistan’s decision to bat first backfired as teenage pacer Marufa Akter struck twice in the opening over, removing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin off consecutive deliveries.
All my teammates were supporting me. Shobana Mostary especially told me, 'You're a lovely bowler, you can do it'. Our analyst said the same two months ago. I just told myself, 'Come on'. I was getting good swing and just tried to maintain line and length.
Bangladesh kept the pressure on, with Nahida Akter picking two wickets, while Shorna Akter ripped through the tail with 3 for 5 in just 3.3 overs. Pakistan folded for 129 in 38.3 overs, with Rameen Shamim (23) and captain Fatima Sana (22) the only notable contributors.
Chase Anchored By Rubya Haider
Chasing 130, Bangladesh lost Fargana Hoque early and crawled to 23/1 after 10 overs. But debutant Rubya Haider held her nerve, stitching a steady 62-run stand with skipper Nigar Sultana. After Nigar’s dismissal, Sobhana Mostary added a brisk 24 off 19, while Rubya carried her bat with an unbeaten 54 as Bangladesh crossed the line in 31.1 overs.
It was a good toss to lose, I guess. We wanted wickets in the Power-play and Marufa delivered incredibly. After the first innings, I told the girls to play our natural game. Jhelik (Rubya) batted really well in her debut game. We wanted to start with a win, and this momentum is important.
Pakistan Rue Early Collapse
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana admitted her side’s poor start cost them dearly.
In the first couple of overs, we lost a couple of wickets. That was match-turning. We just collapsed early on. Some players were playing for the first time in a World Cup, so there was pressure. But everyone is a match-winner — we just need to believe.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 129 all out in 38.3 overs (Rameen Shamim 23, Fatima Sana 22; Shorna Akter 3-5, Nahida Akter 2-19, Marufa Akter 2-31) Bangladesh 131/3 in 31.1 overs (Rubya Haider 54*, Sobhana Mostary 24*; Diana Baig 1-14, Rameen Shamim 1-25). Result: Bangladesh won by 7 wickets.
