Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
Bangladesh began their ICC Women’s World Cup in style with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 129 in 38.3 overs. Bangladesh then reached 131-3 in 31.1 overs, thanks to an unbeaten knock of 54 runs from Rubya Haider.
Marufa made a dream start when she dismissed opener Omaima Sohail and in-form number three Sidra Amin in consecutive deliveries in the first over to leave Pakistan 2-2.
Muneeba Ali and Rameen Shamim tried to rebuild the innings, but both fell to Nahida in consecutive overs.
Pakistan struggled to build partnerships as Bangladesh spinners dominated the middle overs.
Marufa and Nahida each took two wickets, while Shorna Akter took the last three wickets of Pakistan for just five runs. Nishita Akter, Fahima Khatun, and Rabeya Khan also each took one wicket.
Chasing a moderate target, Bangladesh lost Farzana Haque early in the innings, who managed just two runs from 17 balls.
Sharmin Akter and Rubya then started to soak in the pressure as they added 28 runs for the second wicket before Sharmin was trapped lbw in the 12th over by Rameen.
However, captain Nigar Sultana Joty stood up to accompany Rubya in their partnership of 62 runs off 77 balls. The captain made 23 before falling to Fatima Sana.
Rubya then steered Bangladesh home with the help of Sobhana Mostary, who made 24 off 19 while hitting six fours.
Left-handed Rubya reached her maiden international fifty in 64 balls and remained unbeaten after hitting eight fours.
‘It was a good toss to lose, I guess, because we also wanted to bat [first]. I told the girls that we needed wickets in the powerplay,’ said Joty in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Joty praised Marufa and Rubya too.
‘Marufa is very young and mature. She knows her role very well and is very confident. How she delivered was incredible,’ she said.
‘After the first innings, we talked about playing our natural game. Jhelik [Rubya] batted really well in her debut game, [as] sometimes you feel pressure when you lose an early wicket,’ she added.
Before the match, Joty said that they wanted to set the tone with the win over Pakistan, which they successfully accomplished.
‘We wanted to start with a win. It gives a momentum we can take into the rest of the tournament,’ she said after their victory.
Bangladesh now move to Guwahati in India, where they will face England on October 7
