Bangladesh thrash Pakistan for second-ever World Cup win

Colombo hosted the ICC Women’s World Cup.

Pakistan 129 (38.3 overs): Shamim 23 (39), Shorna 3-5

Bangladesh 131-3 (31.1 overs): Jhilik 54* (77), Baig 1-14

Seven wickets later, Bangladesh won.

In a Women’s World Cup debutant Rubya Haider Jhilik hit a debut fifty as Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the final match.

After Pakistan chose to bat, Seamer Marufa Akter set the tone with two unbeaten wickets in the opening over.

After losing star batter Sidra Ameen to the first ball of her match, Pakistan succumbed to her in 38.3 overs to fall to 129 all out.

Before skipper Nigar Sultana Joty arrived, Bangladesh made a nervy start to their chase, going 35-2 from 12 overs.

In a 62-run partnership that ended the game for Pakistan, she showed some intent, and Jhilik followed, taking over as the chief aggressor.

Jhilik finished unbeaten on 54 balls from 77 deliveries before half-century with 64 balls, just after Joty was dismissed.

With 18.5 overs to spare, Sobhana Mostary’s task was to get Bangladesh over the line, scoring 24 not out, all in boundaries, to complete the task.

You can win a 100-over game in the first over, according to cricketing wisdom, but you can lose it in a lot of other ways.

With Omaima Sohail and Ameen, two of their top three having gone for golden ducks thanks to Marufa Akter’s new-ball genius, that is certainly how Pakistan will view it.

The 20-year-old hooped straight to Omaima’s middle and leg with just her fifth delivery, which made a superb swinging delivery that beat her.

She was at it once more next ball. The stumps were slightly wider this time, but Ameen’s inside edge provided some assistance by making the same prodigious swing back into the right-hander once more.

“How Marufa bowled in the powerplay, she stole the show!” Joe responded following the game.

She is “very young, but she is very mature, and she is very knowledgeable about her role.” She was incredible despite the fact that everyone was very supportive of her.

Given Ameen’s form, it appeared shock to Pakistan for her first one-day international since February 2019.

The significance of Ameen’s wicket for Bangladesh was significant with her previous four innings’ scores of 121 not out, 122, 50 not out, and 37 not out.

Marufa’s impact diminished as a result, but Bangladesh spinners were prepared to play their part.

With the exception of left-armer Nahida Akter and leg-spinner Shorna Akter, both six bowlers used claimed at least one wicket.