Bangladesh women beaten by 29 runs

Crucial runs from Bismah’s bat and a disciplined performance from the bowlers set up an easy 29-run win for Pakistan over the visiting Bangladesh women in the first T20I at Karachi today.

Pakistan women captain Sana Mir won the toss and decided to bat first in the opening game of the two-match series.

After the loss of Marina in the first over, Pakistan surged ahead with confidence with Javeria and Bismah at the crease.

The duo put on 87 runs for the second wicket and laid the platform for a challenging total for the Bangladeshi women.

Javeria Khan scored 44 from 43 balls, with six hits across the fence. Her partner Bismah was the top-scorer for Pakistan, with her unbeaten knock of 65 runs from 57 balls.

Bismah kept one end secured as Pakistan lost wickets at the other.

After 20 overs, Pakistan managed to put up 124 runs for the loss of five wickets. Nahida Akhter was the most successful Bangladeshi bowler. She picked up two wickets for 17 runs in only four overs.

Chasing the smallish total, Bangladeshi women failed to manage their innings and lost their way after a solid start.

Bangladeshi women were still in the game after the loss of Ayasha’s wicket in the 11th over, with 49 runs on the board.

As the required run-rate went over seven per over, Bangladeshi women couldn’t cope with the scoreboard-pressure and began to play reckless shots while searching desperately for runs.

The procession of Bangladesh women losing their wicket and returning to the pavilion shoulders down began after Ayasha was dismissed.

From 49 for 2 in the 11th over, Bangladesh women collapsed to 84 for six with only a handful of deliveries left in the match.

Six of the Bangladesh women batters didn’t manage a double-digit score. Apart from Ayasha, Fargana’s 23 and 22 from Rumana pushed their team’s total to 95 for the loss of seven wickets.

Wickets were shared among the Pakistani women, seven among six bowlers. Anam Amin claimed two wickets for 17 runs in his quota of four overs.

Nargis Akhter and Nigar Sultana were the debutants from Bangladesh.

Bismah Maroof was the rookie for the hosts. She also picked up the player-of-the-match award for her unbeaten innings.

The second and final match of the T20I series between Bangladesh and Pakistan women teams will be held on October 1, 2015 at Karachi.