Bangladesh, led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, were up against Pakistan, led by skipper Fatima Sana, in the first fixture of the Women’s World Cup 2025 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. A low-key contest, after a couple of highly anticipated fixtures, involving India, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.
Spinners leave Pakistan clueless
Pacer Marufa Akter struck twice in the first over of the contest to give Bangladesh a dominant start, after the opposition skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first, in Colombo. Rameen Shamim (23 off 39 balls) joined Muneeba Ali at the crease, and the duo led the recovery with a much-needed 42-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, which also took them closer to the 50-run mark.
Nahida Akter broke the stand, by sending Muneeba Ali (17 off 35 balls) back to the pavilion in the 12th over of the innings to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Bangladesh. After her departure, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for 129, with more than 11 overs to spare. Diana Baig’s (16* off 22 balls) cameo pushed the total past the 120-run mark.
Skipper Fatima Sana (22 off 33 balls) and Sidra Nawaz (15 off 20 balls) chipped in with vital contributions with the bat for Pakistan. Shorna Akter (3.3-3-5-3), Nahida Akter (8-1-19-2), Marufa Akter (7-0-31-2), and Rabeya Khan (7-2-13-1) were sensational with the ball for Bangladesh.
Rubya Haider’s fifty guides Bangladesh over the line
The Bangladesh openers, Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider, got off to a cautious start, chasing a total of 130. The experienced opener Fargana Hoque succumbed to the pressure (2 off 17 balls), failing to get off the blocks. Diana Baig provided the early breakthrough for Pakistan in the 4th over of the innings.
The Nigar Sultana Joty-led side, playing just their 2nd ODI World Cup, respected the impressive consistency from the opposition bowlers, putting a price on their wickets. The duo of Sharmin Akhter (10 off 30 balls) and Rubya Haider en route to their 28-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, followed by another crucial stand of 62 runs for the 3rd wicket alongside skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (23 off 44 balls), and an unbeaten 34-run stand between Sobhana Mostary (24* off 19 balls) showed remarkable maturity to guide Bangladesh to only their 2nd win in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup history, sealing the game with 7 wickets in hand and 113 balls to spare. Both of their wins came against Pakistan.
Rubya Haider (54* off 77 balls) completed a solid half-century and also top-scored with the bat for Bangladesh. Diana Baig (8-3-14-1), skipper Fatima Sana (8-1-30-1), and Rameen Shamim (5-0-25-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Pakistan. Marufa Akter was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive spell in the powerplay, breaking the Pakistani top-order wide open with her accuracy and consistency.
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