Underdogs earn a memorable seven -wicket win over neighbours in Colombo
Bangladesh have spun out Pakistan for 129 before notching a memorable seven-wicket victory at the Women’s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka.
Rubya Haider made a dream ODI debut for Bangladesh as her unbeaten 54 with eight fours anchored their chase on Thursday and guided them to their target on 3-131 in just 31.3 overs for only their second victory in tournament history.
Bangladesh’s only previous win had also been against Pakistan at the last World Cup in 2022 in New Zealand.
Pakistan fast bowler Diana Beg didn’t allow Bangladesh to score freely with the new ball and trapped Fargana Hoque lbw in her second over, while Rameen Shamim also claimed Sharmin Akhter leg before in the 12th over.
But Rubya dominated the spinners with impeccable drives and reverse sweeps, sharing a 62-run stand with captain Nigar Sultana (23) before sealing the win with Sobhana Mostary, who was 24no, all from boundaries, in 19 balls.
On a perfect batting pitch, Pakistan were squeezed by Bangladesh’s five spinners, who combined for eight wickets.
The 20-year-old fast bowler Marufa Akter swung the new ball well and clean-bowled Omaima Sohail and in-form batter Sidra Amin without scoring in her first over.
Amin, who scored back-to-back ODI centuries against South Africa at home, was out for a golden duck for the first time in her ODI career when she chopped on.
Pakistan never recovered from those two early jolts. Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter took 2-19 and the 18-year-old Shorna Akter ran through the tail and took career-best figures of 3-5 in 3.3 overs.
Shorna bowled three successive maiden overs before the bizarre dismissal of Nashra Sandhu, who got hit wicket when she left the ball but struck the stumps as she tried to bring her bat down.
Shamim was the top scorer with 23 as Pakistan were skittled in 38.3 overs.
Pakistan will play all seven of their group games in Colombo. A semi-final and the final will also take place in the Sri Lanka capital if Pakistan make it that far, due to the political stand-off with co-hosts India.
