An unbeaten half-century from Rubya Haider and her crucial partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana, supported by excellent bowling from young pacer Marufa Akter, led Bangladesh to a commanding seven-wicket victory over a struggling Pakistan in their ICC Women’s World Cup match on Thursday.
Rubya scored an unbeaten 54 off 77 balls (4×8) and formed a 62-run partnership with Sultana (23 off 44 balls) for the third wicket, helping Bangladesh chase down the target of 130 with 113 balls to spare, finishing at 131 for 3 in 31.1 overs.
Initially cautious after the early dismissals of openers Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter, Rubya soon adapted to the pitch and unleashed a series of boundaries, making the chase appear effortless. She hit three boundaries in the 19th
over bowled by veteran Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu, turning the game in Bangladesh’s favour. Despite a slow start at 23 for one after 10 overs, Bangladesh accelerated their innings effectively.
The disciplined bowling from Bangladesh’s bowlers, including young pacer Marufa Akter (2/31), veteran spinner Nahida Akter (2/19), and Shorna Akter (3/5), set up the match as Pakistan were all out for 129 in 38.3 overs. Marufa initiated Pakistan’s collapse, dismissing opener Omaima Sohail and batting mainstay Sidra Amin for first-ball ducks in the opening over, leaving Pakistan at 2/2.
Nahida Akter (2/19) increased the pressure on Pakistan, sending Muneeba Ali (17) and Rameen Shamim (23) back to the pavilion shortly after the powerplay, disrupting any chance of a partnership. Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 41/2 after 10 overs, largely due to Marufa’s efforts.
In her 27th WODI, Marufa surprised Pakistan with the new ball. She bowled a full-length inswinging delivery just outside off-stump to dismiss Omaima Sohail, and on the very next ball, claimed the key wicket of Sidra Amin, who was beaten by the big inswing and lost her leg stump.
Muneeba Ali, trying to stabilise after the early dismissals, managed two boundaries off right-arm spinner Nishita Akter Nishi in the fourth over, but she soon fell, reducing Pakistan to 44/3. Rameen Shamim, who had built a 42-run stand with Muneeba, was also dismissed two overs later, leaving Pakistan at 47/4 in the 14th over.
Pakistan struggled to increase the run-rate and kept losing wickets regularly as Bangladesh tactically rotated their bowlers, leaving the opposition without answers. Pakistan’s run-rate rarely crossed four runs per over, and they reached the 100-run mark by the 30th over, managing only 14 boundaries in their innings.
Teenage leg-spinner Shorna Akter cleaned up the tail as Pakistan’s innings concluded in 38.3 overs.
(With PTI Inputs)
