In a thrilling warm-up clash at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh Women overcame Pakistan Women by 23 runs, offering fans a taste of what’s to come in the tournament. The match, held at ICC Academy Ground No. 2 in Dubai, saw a strong bowling performance from Bangladesh as they defended a competitive total, securing a crucial win ahead of the group-stage matches.
Bangladesh’s Balanced Batting Performance
Bangladesh’s captain, Nigar Sultana Joty, won the toss and opted to bat first. Despite a shaky start, where openers Shamima Sultana and Murshida Khatun fell early, the middle order stepped up. Rumana Ahmed played a pivotal role, crafting a well-paced 47 from 38 balls. Her innings was supported by steady contributions from Fargana Hoque (30) and Sobhana Mostary (27), helping Bangladesh post a competitive total of 145/6 in their 20 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers had a decent outing, with Nashra Sandhu and Fatima Sana each taking two wickets, but they struggled to contain Bangladesh’s batters in the middle overs. The fielding unit also faltered with a few dropped catches that allowed Bangladesh to capitalize on their opportunities.
Pakistan’s Inconsistent Chase
Chasing 146, Pakistan’s batting line-up stumbled right from the beginning. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Nahida Akter and Salma Khatun, kept the pressure on with accurate bowling and early wickets. Opener Sidra Ameen was dismissed cheaply, and star all-rounder Nida Dar, expected to anchor the innings, could only muster 18 runs before falling to Salma’s sharp spin.
Bismah Maroof was Pakistan’s top scorer with 36 runs, but her knock was not enough to keep the chase on track. Pakistan’s middle order, including Aliya Riaz and Muneeba Ali, struggled to find boundaries as Bangladesh’s spinners restricted scoring opportunities. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals, and Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 122 in 19.3 overs.
Standout Bowling by Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling was the standout feature of the match. Nahida Akter, with her left-arm spin, took 3 wickets for just 21 runs, while captain Nigar Sultana Joty’s tactical field placements paid off. Salma Khatun, with her experience, kept the run rate in check and finished with figures of 2 for 19. The duo’s clever bowling variations made it difficult for Pakistan’s batters to settle, leading to a collapse in the lower order.
Bangladesh’s sharp fielding also played a vital role in their success, with a couple of run-outs that derailed Pakistan’s chase at crucial moments. Pakistan’s batting struggled to build partnerships, leaving them 23 runs short of the target.
What Lies Ahead for Both Teams?
For Bangladesh, this victory will serve as a confidence boost ahead of the group-stage matches. The team will now focus on maintaining momentum as they prepare for their upcoming game against Scotland. With key players like Rumana Ahmed and Nahida Akter in form, Bangladesh will look to carry this winning spirit into the main tournament.
On the other hand, Pakistan, led by Fatima Sana, will need to regroup quickly. After back-to-back losses in their warm-up games—first against Scotland and now Bangladesh—the team must address its batting inconsistency. With their first group-stage match against Sri Lanka fast approaching, Pakistan needs stronger performances from senior players like Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar to challenge the tournament’s top sides.
FAQs
Bangladesh Women won the match by 23 runs, defending a total of 145/6.
Rumana Ahmed top-scored with 47 runs, while Nahida Akter took 3 wickets for 21 runs, helping Bangladesh secure the win.
Pakistan’s batting struggled to build partnerships, with key players like Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof unable to chase down the target of 146. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling and fielding also played a crucial role.
Bangladesh will face Scotland in their next match, while Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in their opening group-stage fixture.
Conclusion
The Bangladesh Women’s 23-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup warm-up match highlighted the team’s resilience and balance in both batting and bowling. With key players stepping up, Bangladesh is looking strong as they head into the group-stage matches. Pakistan, meanwhile, will need to address their batting issues quickly if they hope to make an impact in the tournament. Both teams will be looking to fine-tune their strategies as they aim for success in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the main tournament just around the corner, the competition is heating up, and fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the days to come.
