Image Credit- BCB
at the opening game of the series at Chattogram,
left-arm spinner Nahida Akter produced the best figures in women’s T20I cricket
for both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Her 5 for 8 in 3.4 overs stopped the
opposition at just 82 and set up a five-wicket victory for Bangladesh. In fact,
Nahida has surpassed her previous best result of 5 for 12 against Kenya last
year to hold the top two spots in Bangladesh’s women’s T20Is.
Pakistan was asked to bat first and lost Sidra Ameen
to Nahida early on. However, Muneeba Ali (16), Bismah Maroof (20), and captain
Nida Dar (14) put Pakistan in a respectable position; although it was a slow
going, 56 at the conclusion of the 13th over provided a solid foundation.
However, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for a
mere 26 runs after Maroof, their leading scorer, was run out on the first ball
of the 14th over. Nahida took three of those wickets after previously adding
Muneeba to her collection.
Bangladesh lost an early wicket in the fourth over
when Shamima Sultana was run out, but even with the modest chase at home, they
were unlikely to cause any problems.
But after that, Murshida Khatun (23), Sobhana Mostary
(16), and Nigar Sultana (26 not out) took charge of the chase, and Bangladesh
reached the mark with three balls in hand thanks to tiny but effective
partnerships. From 57 for 2 to 63 for 4 and 76 for 5, there was a slight
decline, albeit with Nigar batting till the end, Bangladesh took the lead in
the series.