Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team lost to Pakistan National Women’s Cricket team by 29 runs in their first Twenty20 international match at South End Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan Women made a healthy 124 for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and then they restricted Bangladesh Women to 95 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh Women faced an early debacle as their opener Shamim Akhter dismissed for naught when Bangladesh’s score was nine for the loss of one wicket.
Then Ayasha Rahman and Fargana Haque fought back contributing together 40 runs for the second wicket stand before Ayasha Rahman was caught by Sana Mir off Bismah Maroof when Bangladesh’s total was 49 for the loss of two wickets.
After dismissal of Ayasha Rahman, Bangladesh Women failed to build any notable partnership.
Ayasha Rahman made a notable 23 from 27 balls featuring three fours while Fargana Haque notched up a respectable 23 off 36 balls including two fours.
Rumana Ahmed was the other notable scorer for Bangladesh who hit 22 from 23 balls including three fours.
Anam Amin of Pakistan bagged a pair of wickets instead of 17 runs while Aliya Riaz, Nida Dar, Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof and Sumaiya Siddiqi took one wicket each for four, nine, 11, 14 and 17 runs respectively.
Earlier, Pakistan Women had a disastrous start as they lost their opener Marina Iqbal, who was run out by Bangladesh wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana for just one run.
Then Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan rescued their team from danger adding together 87 runs for the second wicket partnership before Javeria Khan was stumped out by wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana off Nahida Akter when Pakistan’s total was 88 for the loss of two wickets.
After departure of Javeria Khan, Pakistan Women could not make noteworthy partnership.
Bismah Maroof remained undefeated with 65. Her 57-ball innings was studded with five fours while Javeria Khan hit a polished 44 from 43 balls with six shots beyond the ropes.
Nahida Akter of Bangladesh Women bagged two wickets at the cost of 17 runs while Jahanara Alam and Fahima Khatun took one wicket each for 10 and 17 runs respectively.
Bismah Maroof was adjudged the Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.
