Chattogram – Bangladesh women defeated Pakistan women by five wickets in the first T20I at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing 83 runs target to win, Bangladesh got over the line in the final over for the loss of five wickets and three balls to spare.
Pakistan bowlers had initially kept it tight and gave away only 20 runs in the batting powerplay.
Only one boundary was hit in the powerplay, with the hosts losing opening batter Shamima Sultana (5 off 9) run-out on the last ball of the fourth over.
At the end of 10th over, Bangladesh were 33 for two. Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani bagged an important wicket of well-settled Sobhana Mostary (16, 25b, 2x4s) on the fourth ball of 10th over. Later, left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu completed her 50 T20I wickets when she dismissed Murshida Khatun in the 15th over of the innings.
Earlier, after being put into bat Pakistan were bowled out for 82 in 19.2 overs. For the tourists, the experienced left-handed batter Bismah Maroof was the top run-getter, scoring 20 off 29 balls. She knitted a 31-run partnership with skipper Nida Dar, who scored a 21-ball 14, hitting one four.
Opening batter Muneeba Ali (16, 19b, 3x4s) and Natalia Parvaiz (15, 16b, 2x4s) were the other batters to score in double figures.
For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Nahida Akter ended up with figures of five wickets for eight runs in 3.4 overs – her best figures in the T20I format.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan 82 all out, 19.4 overs (Bismah Maroof 20, Muneeba Ali 16, Natalia Parvaiz 15, Nida Dar 14; Nahida Akter 5-8)
Bangladesh 86-5, 19.3 overs (Nigar Sultana 26 not out, Murshida Khatun 23, Sobhana Mostary 16; Nashra Sundhu 1-16)
Player of the match – Nahida Akter (Bangladesh women)
