Tigresses sent to bowl first in World Cup opener

Bangladesh lost the toss and were asked to bowl first against Pakistan in their opening fixture of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday.

The Tigresses have picked left-handed top-order batter Rubya Haider, who will be making her WODI debut, and have gone with a spin-heavy attack led by the experienced left-arm spinner Nahida Akter. Marufa Akter is the lone pacer in the side.

Led by Fatima Sana, Pakistan will also begin their campaign with today's game. As the team won't travel to India and will play all their matches in Colombo, winning this match could set up the tournament for them.

This is the Tigresses' second-ever campaign in the World Cup. Their maiden campaign was in 2022 in New Zealand, where their only win came against Pakistan -- a nine-run win in Hamilton.

Bangladesh: Farqana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c, wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, 7 Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter

Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal