Women’s T20 World Cup, PAK vs BAN: Pakistan Women in danger of early exit after shocking batting performance against Bangladesh
Pakistan are in grave danger of being knocked out of the Women’s T20 World Cup after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 20 runs in the Group A match at the prestigious Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday. Chasing a target of 164, Pakistan were playing comfortably at 69 for two after 11 overs, but then faced a dramatic and scary batting collapse.
Pakistan managed to score only 20 runs in its last nine overs as Bangladesh snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in amazing fashion. Pakistan still have two matches left in the group stage, but the fate of their qualification is no longer in their own control or hands.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Women’s T20 World Cup: highlight | Achievement:
If India beats South Africa in Manchester on Sunday, Pakistan will be officially and mathematically out of the competition.
Joti, Shoorna help Bangladesh recover
Bangladesh recovered from an early collapse at the Rose Bowl to post 123/6. With their semi-final hopes intact, they were in immediate trouble as Fatima Sana struck twice in the opening overs. Dilara Akhtar was out for five, Sharmin Akhtar was out for zero and Zuaria Firdous was out for seven, leaving Bangladesh at 13/3.
Captain Nigar Sultana Joti played an inning of 36 runs in 38 balls and started the innings with five fours. She was well supported by Shobhana Mostori, who scored 22 runs from 19 balls and revived the pair after early damage.
Pakistan’s bowlers maintained a tight control in the middle overs, with Fatima Sana finishing with figures of 4-1-18-2, while Nashra Sandhu was economical, conceding just 14 runs in her four-over spell. Sadia Iqbal, Tasmiya Rubab and Tuba Hasan also took one wicket each.
When it looked like Bangladesh were slipping to a below-average score, Sharn Akter provided the team late momentum with an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls at a strike rate of 177.27. His aggressive innings, which included five fours, took Bangladesh to a competitive end at 92/6. Although the total is not impressive, Bangladesh will take confidence from the resilience shown by their middle and lower order after the early collapse.
Pakistan had to face bad batting
Pakistan faced another disappointing batting performance as Bangladesh restricted them to 100 for 8. Pakistan did not run, but in the first half of the innings they were heading towards a competitive total, with the required run rate hovering around one run-a-ball.
Muniba Ali once again showed resistance at the top, making 25 off 30 balls with one four and a six, but her dismissal on 69 marked the beginning of a steady decline. Gul Firozha had given a fast start, scoring 23 runs in 18 balls and hitting four fours before falling in the first powerplay phase.
The middle order failed to take advantage of this, with Ayesha Zafar (11), Iram Javed (9) and captain Fatima Sana (10) all getting starts but being unable to convert them into meaningful contributions. Pakistan slipped from a good position of 69 for 2 to 84 for 8 and lost six wickets for only 15 runs in a dramatic collapse.
Bangladesh’s spin attack proved decisive, led by Nahida Akhtar, who took 3 for 18, while Sanjeeda Akhtar Meghla also took 3 wickets. Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni took one wicket each as Pakistan struggled to rotate the strike and build partnerships.
Lower-order batsmen Nashra Sandhu and Tasmiya Rubab added runs late, but by then Pakistan was out of the contest. Pakistan is now eyeing the match between India and South Africa, where India’s victory will officially knock them out of the tournament.
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