CHATTOGRAM: Bangladesh women’s cricket team secured a five-wicket victory over the Pakistan women’s team in the first T20I at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh women chased down a target of 83 runs with three balls to spare.
Nigar Sultana’s unbeaten 26 (28 balls, 3x4s) guided the home team to success, with Bangladesh needing 26 runs in the final five overs. Despite a few breakthroughs provided by Diana Baig and a run-out, Nigar ensured the win.
Bangladesh struggled in the initial overs, managing just one boundary in the powerplay, and lost opener Shamima Sultana (5 off 9) to a run-out. After ten overs, they were at 33 for two, requiring 50 runs from the last ten. Umm-e-Hani dismissed Sobhana Mostary (16, 25 balls, 2x4s) in the tenth over. In the 15th over, left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu claimed her 50th T20I wicket by dismissing Murshida Khatun.
Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter Takes Five Wickets
Earlier, Pakistan, batting first, was bowled out for 82 in 19.2 overs. Bismah Maroof was the top scorer for Pakistan with 20 runs from 29 balls, while Nida Dar, the captain, contributed 14 runs from 21 balls.
Opening batter Muneeba Ali (16, 19 balls, 3x4s) and Natalia Parvaiz (15, 16 balls, 2x4s) were the only other batters to reach double figures. Nahida Akter, the left-arm spinner, was the star for Bangladesh, taking five wickets for just eight runs in 3.4 overs, marking her best figures in T20Is.
The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Friday, with the match starting at 16:30 local time.
