Nahida Akter came up with a five-star display as Bangladesh women’s cricket team beat Pakistan by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 international series in Chittagong Wednesday.
Tigresses captain Nigar Sultana Joty won the toss and decided to bowl first and the bowlers backed her decision by dismissing the visitors for 82 in 19.4 overs with left-arm spinner Nahida leading the way.
Nahida spun a web around the Pakistan batters, bagging five wickets in 3.4 overs conceding just eight runs, while Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan and Sultana Khatun picked up one each as the tourists wilted in the face of some disciplined bowling by the home side.
Bismah Maroof top-scored for Pakistan with 20.
In reply, the hosts reached their destination with three balls to spare with the unbeaten Nigar scoring the highest 26 and Murshida Khatun making 23.
Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu, Umm-e-Hani and Diana Baig notched one wicket apiece.
The women in red and green will be looking to clinch the series Friday at the same venue in the second and penultimate game.
Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh also comprises three One Day Internationals, which forms part of the International Cricket Council Women’s Championship 2022-2025, slated for November 4, 7 and 10 in Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
1ST T20I
Pakistan women 82 in 19.4 overs (Bismah 20, Nahida 5/8) lost to Bangladesh women 86/5 in 19.3 overs (Nigar 26*, Murshida 23) by 5 wickets
