Tigresses stun Pak in ODI WC opener

October 03, 2025 00:00:00

Bangladesh's players celebrate after the dismissal of Pakistan's Sidra Nawaz during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 one-day international (ODI) match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo on Thursday. — AFP

Bangladesh Women produced a dominant all-round display to claim a comfortable 7-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in their ICC Women's World Cup clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, in Sri Lanka on Thursday, report agencies.

Set to chase a modest 130-run target, Bangladesh comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just three wickets and 113 balls to spare.

Leading the way for them was left-handed opener Haider, who oversaw their pursuit with an unbeaten 54 off 77 deliveries, studded with eight fours.

She was supported by captain Nigar Sultana, who made 23 off 44 deliveries with the help of five fours. The duo also shared a match-defining 62-run partnership for the third wicket.

Besides them, middle-order batter Sobhana Mostary was the other significant run-getter, scoring 24 off 19 deliveries, laced with six fours.

For Pakistan, Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig and captain Fatima Sana could pick up a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Bangladesh Women restricted Pakistan to a measly 129 with a fine show with the ball and some sharp reflexes in the field.

Marufa Akter set the tone in the very first over, striking twice in successive deliveries to jolt Pakistan early at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.

Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali (17 off 35) then led a sluggish, yet watchful, recovery with Rameen Shamim (23). But they fell in the space of a few deliveries.

From there, Bangladesh's bowlers maintained pressure and the fielders backed them with sharp efforts, leaving Pakistan's batting line-up in tatters, as only skipper Fatima Sana (22) put up some resistance.

All six Bangladeshi bowlers picked up at least a wicket each. Leg-spinning allrounder Shorna Akter (3-5) was the pick of the bowlers, bagging the last three wickets in her 3.3 overs, which included three maidens.

Seamer Marufa and left-arm spinner Nahida Akter both claimed two wickets each in tight spells.

For Pakistan, who came into the tournament after a home ODI series win against South Africa, not a single batter managed to reach 30.

This was Bangladesh's first international appearance in nearly five and a half months, having last played Pakistan in Lahore during the World Cup qualifiers in April.