Bangladesh outplay Pakistan to make winning start to WC campaign

Bangladesh began their World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 7-wicket win over Pakistan at Colombo on Thursday. After bundling Pakistan out for just 129 through an all-round bowling effort, Bangladesh hunted the total down with ease in just 31.1 overs.

The Colombo surface offered plenty of swing early and Marufa Akter exploited it to great effect. She dealt Pakistan two heavy blows in the very first over by castling Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin, both for golden ducks, with hooping inswingers. It was a setback that Pakistan would never quite recover from.

Muneeba Ali and Rameem Shamim ensured there was no further damage inside the PowerPlay but it came at the cost of a low scoring rate. Both then fell in quick succession despite getting decent starts and it was a theme that continued through the rest of Pakistan's innings. Bangladesh's spinners seized control and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals ensuring Pakistan never got off the mat.

Nashra Sandhu's comical hit-wicket dismissal in 35th over summed Pakistan's dismal afternoon up as they tottered along to a measly 129 before being bowled out. Bangladesh used six bowlers with each picking up at least a wicket. Shorna Akter emerged as the pick of the bunch as she registered figures of 3-5.

Needing early wickets to stay in the game, Pakistan's hopes hinged on their opening bowlers. Fatima Sana and Diana Baig bowled with optimism and managed to tie Bangladesh down early. However, apart from Fargana Hoque's wicket, rewards for their efforts remained slim.

With the scoreboard demanding little, Bangladesh pottered along unhurriedly and finished the PowerPlay on 23/1. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty's arrival to the crease at the fall of Sharmin Akhter in the 12th over, however, triggered a noticeable acceleration.

In her skipper's company, Rubya Haider began to play with freedom and confidence. She struck three boundaries off Nashra Sandhu in the 19th over as Bangladesh continued their steady march towards the target. The duo shared a 62-run stand before Pakistan managed to dismiss Joty in the 25th over.

That would be the last wicket to fall. Haider brought up fifty in the following over before a quick cameo from Sobhana Mostary, where she scored all her 24 runs through boundaries, saw Bangladesh cruise home with plenty of overs to spare.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 129 in 38.3 overs (Rameem Shamim 23; Shorna Akter 3-5, Nahida Akter 2-19) lost to Bangladesh 131/3 in 31.3 overs (Rubya Haider 54*, Shobana Mostary 24*; Diana Baig 1-14) by 7 wickets