Bangladesh produced a confident performance in their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 opener, chasing down Pakistan’s total of 129 to win by seven wickets. The victory was powered by a composed innings from Rubya Haider, who scored an unbeaten 54, and strong contributions from the bowling unit that kept Pakistan under pressure throughout their innings.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan struggled to build momentum. Early breakthroughs from Bangladesh bowlers, led by Marufa Akter, put the visitors on the back foot. Pakistan’s middle order could not consolidate, with only Rameen Shamim and Fatima Sana providing minor resistance with scores of 23 and 22 respectively. Bangladesh maintained tight lines and lengths, wrapping up Pakistan for 129 in 38.3 overs, giving themselves a modest target to chase.
In reply, Bangladesh’s chase began with a few early hiccups, losing quick wickets. However, Haider and captain Nigar Sultana, who contributed an unbeaten 24, steadied the innings. Their partnership of 50 runs effectively took the game away from Pakistan, allowing Bangladesh to accelerate in the latter stages. Sobhana Mostary added another unbeaten 24, ensuring the target was surpassed in 31.1 overs, leaving the team comfortable seven wickets ahead.
Haider’s innings was marked by patience and calculated aggression, with eight boundaries that helped anchor the chase. Her ability to rotate the strike and find gaps consistently relieved pressure on the middle order and allowed the team to maintain a steady run rate. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Akter and Shorna Akter, applied pressure from the start, claiming crucial wickets and preventing Pakistan from building partnerships.
This win is significant for Bangladesh, marking only their second victory in Women’s World Cup history. It highlights the team’s growing depth and ability to perform under pressure on the world stage. The all-round performance demonstrated that Bangladesh can compete effectively against strong sides, combining disciplined bowling with composed batting.
Captain Nigar Sultana praised her team’s effort, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and mental toughness. She noted that the players showed great character in both bowling and batting departments, adapting to match situations and seizing key moments.
With the momentum from this victory, Bangladesh will look to build on their performance in the remaining group-stage matches. The confidence gained from chasing a target under pressure and restricting Pakistan to a low total provides a solid foundation for the team’s World Cup campaign.
In summary, Bangladesh’s seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan showcased strong leadership, disciplined bowling, and strategic batting. The team’s ability to handle pressure situations and execute plans effectively signals a bright outlook as they progress through the tournament.
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