LIVE: Bangladesh close in on win over Pakistan in CWC25 tie

A strong partnership between Rubya Haider and Nigar Sultana put Bangladesh on the brink of win in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opener against Pakistan.

Defending a modest total of 130, Pakistan claimed the wickets of Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter before Haider and Sultana steadied the chase with a crucial fifty-run partnership.

Baig delivered the first blow by dismissing Hoque, who attempted to work the ball to the leg side but struck on the pad. Pakistan reviewed the decision and with no bat involved, the umpire was forced to overturn his original call. Akhter followed soon after the powerplay, dismissed in similar fashion while attempting a flick.

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In the first innings, an all-round bowling effort helped Bangladesh secure firm footing in their opening contest.

Having been put in to bowl first, the Nigar Sultana Joty-led side managed to dismiss Pakistan for 129 with Shorna Akter finishing as the pick of the bowlers, closing with bowling figures of 3/5.

Pakistan were put under the pump right from the get-go as Marufa Akter helped Bangladesh seize advantage with two prolific in-swinging deliveries in the powerplay, removing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin in her opening burst.

Nahida Akter then, added further pressure on Pakistan by claiming Muneeba Ali and Rameen Shamim (23), who was the highest run-getter for her side, inside two overs from her first spell.

Rabiya Khan then claimed the crucial wicket of Sidra Nawaz, trapping her plumb with half of the Pakistan side back in the hut.

While skipper Fatima Sana tried to reconstruct the Pakistan innings from the lower-middle order, the Pakistan skipper was removed at the score of 22, falling to Fahima Khatun.

Shorna Akter would proceede to clean up the tail, claiming three wickets towards the end as Pakistan finished with 129 runs on the board.

Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and elected to bat first. The two teams are facing off in what is the first game of the tournament at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Both sides had secured the top two spots at this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier in Pakistan.

While the Fatima Sana-led side had finished on top of the six-team tally in the qualifier tournament, Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh qualified as the second-ranked team.

Both teams last met at the tournament back in 2022, when Bangladesh made their debut in the marquee event.

The thrilling contest saw the Cricket World Cup debutants get the better of Pakistan to notch their first-ever win in the competition.

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