Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Match 03 Of Women’s World Cup

Match Summary:

At the third match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at Colombo. The Pakistan vs Bangladesh match saw Bangladesh Women’s dominate from the beginning to the end. With 113 balls remaining in the chase, they had bowled Pakistan out for just 129 in 38.3 overs, crushing them by 7 wickets.

Under Bangladesh’s constant pressure, Pakistan’s batting order fell apart. But Rubya Haider led the charge with a fluid, undefeated 54, leading the Tigresses home in style. In addition to highlighting Pakistan’s continuous problems with batting consistency. The victory demonstrated Bangladesh’s increasing self-assurance and poise on the international scene.

Toss and Conditions:

After winning the toss, Pakistan decided to bat first. Believing that their batting lineup would score a high total before the pitch slowed down under the lights. Early on, the Colombo surface presented hitters with difficulties by providing movement for seamers and sharp twists for spinners. Using the humid air and light surface wetness to create swing and grip, Bangladesh’s bowlers rapidly adjusted to the new circumstances. The trend firmly turned in Bangladesh’s favor thanks to their astute variations and aggressive lines, which kept Pakistan under continual strain.

Pakistan Innings:

After deciding to bat first, Pakistan-W had trouble getting into a rhythm. Bangladesh’s bowlers grabbed control from the first over, as their innings fell apart for 129 runs in 38.3 overs. Fatima Sana (22 off 33) and Rameen Shamim (23 off 39) offered some short-term resistance, but the rest of the lineup gave way under constant pressure.

Pakistan’s top order was destroyed by Marufa Akter’s flaming new-ball spell. Which also removed important batsmen within the first six overs, enabling the middle order to recover from a precarious situation. Then, with the best combination scoring just 42 runs for the third wicket. Bangladesh’s spinners tightened their hold, forcing mistakes and piling up dot balls to end any chance of a comeback.

On an odd occasion during the innings. Nashra Sandhu became one of the rare players in Women’s World Cup history to be removed by hit wicket. When she unintentionally struck her own stumps while defending. Although there were a few late runs from the tail, Pakistan never seemed to be at ease and finished far short of a respectable total.

Bangladesh Bowling:

The bowlers from Bangladesh-W took total control of the match. Carrying out their strategies with accuracy and teamwork to destroy Pakistan’s batting order.

• Shorna Akter spearheaded the attack with a career-best 3 for 5. Outthinking Pakistan’s bottom order with deft twists and smart variations.
• During an intense opening spell, Marufa Akter set the tone early by dismissing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin in quick succession. She finished her period with a 2 for 31. Giving her the Player of the Match award. Which rocked Pakistan’s top order.
• Nahida Akter maintained the pressure by hitting twice and denying Pakistan any respite with her well-managed 2 for 19.
• With excellent support from Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun, the run flow was tightened and Pakistan’s batters were forced to take more chances.

The Bangladeshi fielders cut boundaries with rapid throws and quick stops, matching the aggression of their bowlers. In the field, their energy and teamwork made sure Pakistan never recovered.

Bangladesh Innings:

In Pakistan vs Bangladesh Women’s match, Bangladesh Women’s maintained composure throughout their innings as they confidently and masterfully chased the 130-run goal. They finished the game easily, moving to 131 for 3 in just 31.1 overs.

• By scoring an undefeated 54* off 77 balls and leading her side home with calm and maturity. Rubya Haider brilliantly anchored the chase.
• In addition to scoring 23 runs off of 44 balls, captain Nigar Sultana and Rubya formed an important 62-run partnership that steadied the innings and kept Bangladesh firmly on course.
• In order to end the match decisively, Sobhana Mostary upped the score in the closing minutes, hitting 24 not out off 19 balls.

Bangladesh’s top order punished anything loose. Avoided letting Pakistan’s bowlers settle, and cleverly rotated the strike. Pakistan’s cautious batting was in sharp contrast to their assured and methodical approach. By the 25th over, the outcome already appeared certain.

Pakistan Bowling:

Pakistan’s bowlers put up a strong fight, but they were unable to make the breakthroughs they needed to protect their low total.

• Brilliantly spearheading the attack, Diana Baig hit tight lines and kept outstanding control while posting 1 for 14 in 8 overs, including three maidens. Bangladesh was kept in check early on by her discipline.
• Fatima Sana took 1 for 30 in her 8 overs while continuing to probe with pace and movement. But she lacked the support required to generate pressure from the other end.
• Rameen Shamim got 1 for 25, demonstrating good flight and variation, but Pakistan was unable to take advantage of her efforts.
• The inability of Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu to produce turn or consistency, on the other hand, let Bangladesh’s hitters relax.
• In Colombo’s conditions, the spinners were expected to dominate, but they were unable to cause any problems for the set hitters. Who cleverly countered with confident footwork and astute rotation.

Despite their best efforts, Bangladesh’s rhythm was too strong for Pakistan’s attack, and the game slowly got out of hand.

Player of the Match – Marufa Akter:

Due to her outstanding new-ball spell that destroyed Pakistan’s top order, Marufa Akter was named Player of the Match. Bangladesh’s dominance was established when she removed Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin with two strikes in her opening overs.

She demonstrated her worth as Bangladesh’s top speed option by attacking the stumps and swinging the ball both ways. She received a well-earned reputation for her accurate play and controlled aggression, which at times rendered her unplayable.

Key Moments of the Match:

Key moments in Pakistan vs Bangladesh Women’s match are,

1. The tone was immediately set by Marufa Akter’s early breakthroughs. She dismissed two top-order batsmen in the first over, leaving Pakistan reeling at 2/2. Bangladesh took instant control thanks to her new-ball spell.
2. With an incredible 3 for 5 spell that tore through Pakistan’s lower order and dashed any dreams of a late comeback. Shorna Akter further swung the match in Bangladesh’s advantage.
3. Pakistan’s miserable day with the bat was summed up by Nashra Sandhu’s hit-wicket dismissal.
4. The 62-run partnership between Rubya Haider and Nigar Sultana steadied Bangladesh’s chase with composed authority. Utterly eliminating any possibility of a Pakistani comeback.
5. For Pakistan, Diana Baig’s economical spell of 1 for 14 in 8 overs was noteworthy. Bangladesh’s pursuit was momentarily restrained by her precision and control, despite the fact that the other bowlers did not provide much assistance.

Conclusion:

The Pakistan vs Bangladesh clash in the Women’s World Cup 2025 clearly exposed the gap in between the two teams. Discipline, collaboration, and astute strategy allowed Bangladesh to dominate. While Pakistan once again struggled with the bat at pivotal times.

Bangladesh’s decisive victory by 7 wickets demonstrated their increasing power on the international scene. Rubya Haider’s cool half-century and Marufa Akter’s flaming new-ball spell were two outstanding performances.

The defeat raises severe questions for Pakistan over their batting strategy and ability to remain composed under duress. They need to get back together fast, form better opening pairs, and be more aggressive if they want to stay in the competition.

However, Bangladesh enters their upcoming match with a lot of energy. Their batting group appears to be more confident in run chases. Their bowlers keep producing accurate deliveries. The Bangladesh-W team may become one of the dark horses of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 if they maintain this degree of equilibrium and faith.