Bangladesh women’s cricket team started their Pakistan tour on a losing note as they lost to the host by 14 runs in the first T20I at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, despite a brilliant performance with the cherry by Jahanara Alam, and with the willow by Rumana Ahmed.
Bangladesh were asked to field but Jahanara made a brilliant start as she cleaned up Pakistani opener Sidra Ameen in the final ball of the first over.
Seamer Jahanara also dismissed Sidra’s opening partner Javeria Khan for five in the final ball of the third over to reduce the opponent to 15/2.
But Pakistani captain Bismah Maroof made 34 and added 60 with Umaima Sohel before she was dismissed by Lata Mondal.
Umaima, who made 33, soon got out and Aliya Riaz followed her making seven.
@BCBtigers women’s cricket team will face off against their Pakistani counterparts Saturday in the first of three T20Is at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.https://t.co/gzaRSR7cA3#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #PAKISTAN #PCB #PAKISTANCRICKET #SALMA
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 25, 2019
But Iram Javed played a good hand of 21 off 17 balls to help the host post a defendable score of 126/7.
Jahanara, who claimed two wickets in the 19th over, including the one of Iram, finished with an impressive figure of 4-0-17-4 while Panna Ghosh and Rumana got one wicket each.
In reply, Bangladesh were off to a poor start as both their openers were dismissed when the score was six, but Nigar Sultana and Sanjida Islam, who scored 17 and 14 respectively, added 34 for the third wicket to keep the chase on track.
But the pair scored those runs in 48 balls and as the asking rate mounted, the following batters felt the heat.
Only Rumana could answer to the pressure with firepower as she smashed a swashbuckling 50, her first ever T20I half century, off just 30 balls but the effort went in vain as the visitor finished on 112/7.
Bangladesh Women’s Tour of Pakistan 2019
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) October 26, 2019
Bangladesh Women lost by 14 runs.#BCB #BANWvPAKW pic.twitter.com/QSSsayjqx2
Rumana struck half a dozen boundaries and a couple of sixes but was eventually bowled by Aliya in the final over when the score was 110/7.
Bismah was adjudged player of the match.
The second game of the three-T20I series is scheduled to take place at the same ground Monday.
