Bangladesh Women’s cricket team got off to a dream start in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, outplaying Pakistan by 7 wickets in their opening match at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The all-round performance saw Bangladesh restrict Pakistan to just 129 runs before chasing down the target in 31.1 overs.
This was Bangladesh’s second consecutive World Cup win over Pakistan, underlining their growing strength on the global stage.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan endured a nightmare start. Young Bangladeshi pacer Marufa Akter struck twice in her opening over, removing both openers Omaima Sohail and the experienced Sidra Ameen for ducks. Pakistan were left reeling at 2 for 2 inside the very first over.
There was a brief recovery through Muneeba Ali (17) and Rameen Shamim (23), who added 42 runs, but their dismissals in quick succession once again derailed Pakistan’s innings. Regular breakthroughs from Nahida Akter (2 wickets) and Shorna Akter (3 wickets) meant the Pakistani lineup never really recovered.
Despite a fighting effort from skipper Fatima Sana (22) and contributions from Rameen Shamim and Diana Baig, Pakistan could only muster 129 all out in 38.3 overs.
In reply, Bangladesh too lost early wickets – Fargana Hoque (4) and Sharmin Akter (13) departed cheaply. But debutant Rubya Haider held her ground and played a mature, match-winning knock.
Rubya scored an unbeaten 54 off 77 balls, laced with 8 boundaries, and stitched a crucial 62-run partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana (23) to put the chase firmly in Bangladesh’s control. Later, Sobhana Mostary (24)* joined Rubya to finish the game in style, sealing victory with a boundary. Bangladesh reached 131/3 in 31.1 overs.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana credited the bowlers for setting up the win. She particularly praised Marufa Akter:
“She is young but so confident. Those two wickets in the first over changed the entire momentum.”
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana admitted her team lost the game in the opening overs:
“Marufa’s double strike put us under huge pressure. We couldn’t recover, and that cost us the match.”
Player of the Match Marufa Akter remained modest, saying she only focused on “line and length” and thanked her team for backing her throughout.
Match Summary – BAN W vs PAK W, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
| Pakistan Women | 129 all out (38.3 overs) |
|---|---|
| Rameen Shamim 23, Fatima Sana 22 | |
| Shorna Akter 3/25, Marufa Akter 2/31 |
| Bangladesh Women | 131/3 (31.1 overs) |
|---|---|
| Rubya Haider 54*, Sobhana Mostary 24* | |
| Diana Baig 1/29, Fatima Sana 1/24 |
Result: Bangladesh Women won by 7 wickets
With this victory, Bangladesh have announced themselves as serious contenders in the 2025 Women’s World Cup, while Pakistan will need a quick turnaround as their next fixture is against arch-rivals India on Sunday.
