Pakistan Women produced a commanding performance with both bat and ball to register a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh Women in the third match of Group B at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 in Ajman on November 12. Chasing a modest target of 109 runs, Pakistan completed the task in just 15.5 overs, finishing at 112/2 with 25 balls to spare. Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar played crucial unbeaten knocks to guide their side to victory after Bangladesh’s batting unit struggled to build momentum throughout the first innings.
Bangladesh’s Batting Struggles Against Pakistan’s Bowling Attack
Bangladesh Women were put under pressure early in their innings as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths. Dilara Akter was the first batter to depart after scoring nine off 10 deliveries, including a boundary, with Nashra Sandhu taking the wicket at 21 in 3.5 overs. Shathi Rani, who managed 11 off 16 balls with two boundaries, followed shortly after at the same score, falling to Nashra Sandhu in the 4.3-over mark. The early setbacks left Bangladesh struggling to establish a partnership at the top of the order.
Sharmin Akhter and Nigar Sultana attempted to steady the innings, but their partnership could not completely shift the momentum. Sharmin contributed nine off 20 deliveries before being dismissed by Tuba Hassan, with Bangladesh reaching 52/3 in 10.1 overs. Nigar then took responsibility for accelerating the scoring, producing the innings’ most fluent contribution. She scored 27 off just 20 balls, striking two fours and a six at a strike rate of 135. However, Tuba continued to trouble the Bangladesh batters, dismissing Nigar at 64 in 12.2 overs.
Sohana Mostary managed six off seven deliveries before falling to Umm-e-Hani at 62/4 in 11.5 overs. The middle order continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Ritu Moni scoring two off three balls before becoming Tuba’s third victim at 66/6 in 12.5 overs. Fahima Khatun could add only one run from three deliveries and was run out at 68/7 in 13.3 overs following a combined fielding effort involving substitute fielder Tasmia Rubab and Muneeba Ali.
Shorna Akter provided some resistance with an unbeaten 21 off 20 deliveries, striking one boundary. Rabeya Khan contributed 11 off 18 balls before Nashra Sandhu claimed her second wicket, reducing Bangladesh to 100/8 in 18.6 overs. Captain Nahida Akter was dismissed for a duck in the following over, caught by Muneeba Ali off Waheeda Akhtar’s bowling at 103/9. Disha Biswas remained unbeaten on four off two deliveries as Bangladesh finished their 20 overs at 108/9, with seven extras contributing to the total.
Tuba Hassan was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 3/26 in four overs. Nashra Sandhu complemented her effort with 2/13 in four overs, including a maiden, while Waheeda Akhtar, Umm-e-Hani and Momina Riasat picked up one wicket each. Waheeda conceded 26 runs, Umm-e-Hani returned figures of 1/12, and Momina finished with 1/17. Ayesha Zafar bowled one over, conceding 10 runs without taking a wicket. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling performance restricted Bangladesh to a below-par total despite Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter’s contributions.
Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar Guide Pakistan to Victory
In reply, Pakistan Women began their chase aggressively, although their opening partnership was broken early. Shaawal Zulfiqar provided a quick start, scoring 16 off just six deliveries with four boundaries. Her explosive cameo ended at 25 in 1.6 overs when Sohana Mostary dismissed her, with substitute fielder Jannatul Ferdus completing the catch.
Sadaf Shamas then joined captain Muneeba Ali at the crease, and the pair focused on rebuilding the innings while keeping the required run rate under control. Sadaf played a composed knock of 37 off 37 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six. The partnership helped Pakistan move comfortably towards the target before Bangladesh found their second breakthrough. Sadaf departed at 68/2 in 9.6 overs, caught by Disha Biswas off Shorna Akter’s bowling.
However, Bangladesh could not find another breakthrough as Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar combined to finish the chase. Muneeba remained unbeaten on 31 off 34 deliveries, striking two boundaries, while Ayesha provided the acceleration Pakistan needed with an unbeaten 27 off just 18 balls, including four boundaries. Their unbroken 44-run partnership ensured there were no further complications in the chase as Pakistan crossed the finishing line at 112/2 in 15.5 overs.
Among Bangladesh’s bowlers, Sohana Mostary and Shorna Akter picked up one wicket apiece. Disha Biswas conceded 17 runs in 1.5 overs, while Nahida Akter gave away 22 runs in 2.4 overs. Rabeya Khan returned figures of 0/23 in four overs, and Fahima Khatun delivered an economical spell of 3-1-19-0. Ritu Moni conceded 12 runs in two overs, while Shorna finished with 1/15 in her two overs.
The comprehensive eight-wicket victory highlighted Pakistan Women’s superior bowling discipline and effective batting approach. While Bangladesh struggled to build substantial partnerships and finished with 108/9, Pakistan’s batters ensured a comfortable chase through contributions across the top and middle order. With Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar remaining unbeaten, Pakistan secured an important Group B victory in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, winning with 25 balls remaining.
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