SOUTHAMPTON: Bangladesh weaved spin magic to outplay Pakistan by 23 runs in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2026 clash at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.
Chasing a stiff 124, Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse and could only muster 100-8 in 20 overs.
Pakistan were well placed at 70-3 in 11.2 overs when Sanjida Akter Meghla dismissed Ayesha Zafar (11) to spark a collapse that they could never recover from. They lost five wickets for just 14 runs in nine overs, handing Bangladesh a comprehensive win.
Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza laid a solid foundation with a 49-run stand in eight overs. Ali made 25, hitting a four and a six, while Feroza scored 23 off 18 with the aid of four boundaries.
Nahida Akter removed the pair to give Bangladesh an opening, which was ably supported by Sanjida Akter Meghla.
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana, who bats lower down the order, could not help much after registering a half-century against South Africa in the previous match. She was caught after scoring 10, a wicket that proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter Meghla shared six wickets between them.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana led a bowling attack that restricted Bangladesh to 123 in 20 overs during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash on Saturday.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh avoided a miserable start and posted a respectable total, largely due to Shorna Akter’s blitz.
Fatima Sana provided the Green Shirts a dominant start, taking two in her first over to leave Bangladesh two down for just five runs. Sana accounted for Dilara Akter’s (5) and Sharmin Akhter’s (0) dismissals.
Bangladesh were further pegged back with the wicket of Juairiya Ferdous, who made just seven in the fifth over.
After a jittery start, skipper Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary tried to revive the innings, adding a 35-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
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However, Pakistan struck through with Mostary’s wicket at the halfway mark of the innings. She made 22 off 19.
With Nashra Sandhu and Tasmia Rubab in the attack, it was never easy for Bangladesh batters to get going, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Bangladesh were reeling at 92-6 in 17.2 overs, but Shorna Akter’s 39* off just 22 balls with the aid of five fours ensured that her side reached a respectable total.
For Pakistan, Fatima Sana remained the pick of the bowlers, picking up two, while the rest of the four bowlers picked up one wicket each.
