Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket team lost to Pakistan National Women’s Cricket team by 20 runs after giving a close fight in the first One Day International (ODI) match at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Sunday.
Electing to bat first, Pakistan Women made a fighting total of 215 in 49.5 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh Women scored 194 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
Bangladesh Women faced an early collapse as the tourists lost their first three wickets for 60 runs.
Then Rumana Ahmed and Fargana Haque repaired the damage contributing together 44 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Fargana Haque was caught and bowled by Asmavia Iqbal when Bangladesh’s score was 104 for the loss of four wickets.
Rumana Ahmed restored some parity for Bangladesh Women making a splendid 70. Her 97-ball innings was laced with four fours.
Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam build another notable partnership in the eighth wicket stand adding together 44 runs before Rumana Ahmed was caught by Nida Dar off Bismah Maroof when Bangladesh’s total was 190 for the loss of eight wickets.
After dismissal of Rumana Ahmed, Bangladesh’s hope went into vapor and as a result Bangladesh Women conceded defeat in the first ODI.
Fargana Haque made a sedate 26 from 67 balls while opener Shamima Sultana hit 24 from 26 balls featuring five fours.
Jahanara Alam was the other notable scorer for Bangladesh Women who hit 23 off 28 balls including two fours.
Anam Amin of Pakistan Women shone with the cherry bagging three wickets at the cost of 25 runs.
Bismah Maroof, Asmavia Iqbal, Aliya Riaz, Nida Dar and Sana Mir took one wicket each for 10, 27, 29, 40 and 40 runs respectively.
Earlier, one-down Bismah Maroof led her team from the frontline hitting the day’s highest of 92. Her 128-ball innings was decorated with eight fours. Bismah Maroof was adjudged the Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.
Nain Abidi, Nida Dar and Javeria Alam added 27, 21 and 21 runs respectively to the Pakistan Women total.
Skipper Salma Khatun of Bangladesh Women bowled really well grabbing three wickets instead of 31 runs.
Besides, Lata Mondal, Khadija Tul Kubra, Nahida Akter and Fahima Khatun got one wicket each for 25, 34, 39 and 42 runs respectively.
