Pakistan’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 campaign began on a disappointing note as they suffered a crushing seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in their opening match on October 2.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan’s innings faltered badly as they managed to post just 129 runs. Contributions came in bits and pieces, Rameen Shamim top-scored with 23, while Fatima Sana added 22. The tone of the collapse was set early on when opener Omaima Sohail was bowled by Bangladesh’s 20-year-old pace sensation Marufa Akter in the very first over.
Marufa’s fiery spell also saw her remove the in-form Sidra Ameen for a duck, putting Pakistan on the back foot at 2/2. From there, the batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack. Bangladesh chased the modest target with ease, securing victory by seven wickets and sealing a dream start to their campaign.
Speaking after the match, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana acknowledged the disappointment but refused to call it pressure, “No I can’t say it will be pressure but yes today was a bad luck, there was disappointment, because the way the girls should have performed they didn’t, but now the past is past and now our focus is on the next match (against India) and hope for a better result.”
When asked about the collapse and whether changes were on the cards, she stressed the importance of faith in her players.
“We are not looking to change the batting line up because this was just the starting match so we can’t change everything around this. We have to trust our players, and we hope for a better result in the next match. It’s a disappointing day and we look forward to bringing in better results in the upcoming matches.”
On future strategies, she revealed that the batting unit would work closely with the coaching staff. “We will be talking to our batters and get strategies lined up with our coach, we will bring up some plans to stay on the pitch for a longer time. Obviously, we have played good cricket in the past and will look forward to playing good cricket in the future also.”
Explaining her decision to bat first, the skipper said the team had fallen well short of the par total. “I think around 250 total if that would have been the target then it would have been the best. As it’s a batting track.”
On the bowling side, she was initially pleased with the seam movement generated but admitted more was needed. “In the start we were happy with the bowling, there was a seam movement. Diana Baig and I were happy about that, our aim was to pick up early wickets, but unfortunately, we were able to pick 1 wicket each and now we have understood how the pitch is so we will bring in good results in upcoming matches.”
Recalling the atmosphere after Pakistan lost both openers to Marufa’s new-ball burst, she acknowledged the pressure but insisted the team must put faith in its youngsters.
“Both of them were senior players, and the way their wickets fell after that there were youngsters, so we had to put belief in them and trust that they can do it, they did respond well but we will try our best in the next matches.”
Bangladesh, on the other hand, showed maturity far beyond their tag of underdogs, with Marufa Akter’s sensational opening spell providing the spark. For Pakistan, the challenge now lies in regrouping quickly, with tougher assignments ahead in the group stages.
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