PAK vs BAN, Women’s ODI World Cup: On-the-rise Pakistan, Bangladesh eye winning start in Colombo

Outside the cricket field, Pakistan and Bangladesh have plenty of problems deepening the creases on their nation’s foreheads. While bitter political tensions with India cloud the former – necessitating the movement of its fixtures to Sri Lanka – the ripples of massive government overturn continue to be felt by the latter.

On the field, though, these two sides have shown great signs of improvement in skill and spunk and hope the cricket does all the talking when they clash in the first-ever Women’s World Cup fixture to be held in the island nation.

Both sides made it to the World Cup via the Qualifiers route, but in contrasting fashion. While Pakistan went unbeaten in the event, hosted on home turf, Bangladesh waited with bated breath until the very last day, scraping through on Net Run Rate, because West Indies couldn’t win as quickly as it should have.

This is also a significant fixture given that Bangladesh’s only World Cup win thus far – in this format – came against Pakistan when it made its 50-over WC debut in 2022. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty will hope for an encore, given the boost of in-form batters, a refreshing perseverance to not roll over and concede games, and the reliability of a skilled bowling arsenal.

Ironing out batting issues

“We have especially worked hard on our mental state. We know we have the potential to win games. The last piece is for us to have belief. We would give our best and not win games. Have close matches and come out on the losing side,” Joty told reporters on the eve of the game.

Much like their subcontinental cousins like Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh has possessed a formidable bowling pool – particularly in the spin department – but comes undone courtesy deficiencies with the bat.

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For long, the responsibility of keeping a dead innings breathing a little bit further fell on Joty. This World Cup cycle, and the past few months in particular, have seen some changes, partly due to necessity following frequent injuries to the keeper-batter. Sharmin Akter and Fargana Hoque, in particular, have been key.

“For a long period, batting was our main concern. Our bowling would be good, fielding would be good but we wouldn’t be able to put up a big score. We discussed it. It isn’t for a lack of potential. But we were unable to settle down and go for a big score. We don’t want to go through that again. It’s a good opportunity for us (to right that wrong). We know that if we want to win games, we have to put runs on the board,” Joty declared, revealing that strike rates have been a key area of focus.

She is also excited to see if the squad’s youngsters will come good on the punt taken on them.

“We have a crop of U19 players in the pool. They’ve earned their place here with good performances in domestic matches. We tested them in different scenarios in practice games ahead of the World Cup, and they’ve shown great maturity and character. In the last game against Sri Lanka, we threw Sumaiya Akter in the deep end, and she owned the game. It was a big boost to the team. Likewise, players like Nishita (Akter Nishi) and Shorna (Akter) are wonderful talents. They know how to rule here,” Joty said, throwing the gauntlet.

All-round brilliance

For 23-year-old Fatima Sana, the evolution of quality all-round options in the side over the last 12 months is a confidence booster.

“One-day cricket needs all-rounders, and their presence boosts any side. We have three such players. Natalia (Parvaiz), I am there as well on top. There’s Omaima (Sohail) and Rameen (Shamim) as well. We are happy we have these players who double up with the bat and spin, especially,” she said before the clash.

In Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal, Fatima also has quality tweakers – right up there with the best in the world – to bolster the attack. But in spin-friendly conditions, she believes much will ride on seamers keeping things in check.

“In the recent weeks, Junaid (Khan, the bowling coach) sir has been working hard with the pacers on our reverse swing. We were as successful as we were in the qualifiers because Diana (Baig) and I were able to take wickets in the middle overs. That and our slower balls will hold us in good stead,” she added.

A big boost for Fatima and Co. is the batting form of seniors like Sidra Ameen – who recently registered two scintillating hundreds against South Africa – and Aliya Riaz.

While Pakistan doesn’t enjoy the best of records in ICC tournaments, Fatima, much like Joty, chooses to focus on the positives.

“A new day is a new opportunity. We know our preparation leading up to this World Cup has been solid. For batting, especially. We’re focusing on the positives of what we’re doing rather than the disappointments of the past.”

Published on Oct 01, 2025

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