Bangladesh bow out

Bangladesh woman cricketer Shuktara Rahman bowls during the Asian Cricket Council Women's T20 Cup semifinal against Pakistan in Guangzhou yesterday. PHOTO: INTERNET

The Bangladesh women's cricket team lost the all-important semifinal game to Pakistan by six wickets in the Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) Twenty20 cup, in Ghuangzhou, China yesterday. The women in green, who were put in to bat by their Pakistan counterparts on a rainy morning, posted a below-par total of 82 for seven in 20 overs. In reply Pakistan reached their target with 14 balls to spare.
The Bangladesh players made a cautious start to their innings as the first seven overs witnessed only one boundary. The slow run-rate, however, got the better of them and eventually wickets began to tumble.
Farzana Haque took 44 balls for her 28 and a few hits by Shuktara Rahman towards the end of the innings helped Bangladesh cross the 80-run mark. The Pakistan bowlers, especially the spinners, enjoyed a good run on the field as their opponents struggled against them.
In reply, Pakistan lost early wickets and were in danger of suffering a collapse. They lost 2 wickets in the first Powerplay. The crucial wicket of captain Sana Mir gave Bangladesh some hope of a comeback. However, a 44-run partnership between Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar for the third wicket, took the game away from Bangladesh. By the time the fourth wicket fell in the 15th over, Pakistan needed just 15 more runs to reach the finals of the Asia Cup. Pakistan's Nida Dar, who picked up two wickets and scored 25 runs, was declared the player of the match
Pakistan now face arch-rivals India in the finals today. This will be the second time that the Asian giants will meet in this tournament. In the previous game, India defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets to top Group A. While Pakistan will be aiming for revenge, India will hope to continue their good run.
SCORES IN BRIEF
BANGLADESH: 82 for 7 in 20 overs (Farzana 28, Shuktara 16; Nida Dar 2/13)
PAKISTAN: 83 for 4 in 17.4 overs. (Bismah Maroof 27 not out, Nida 25; Shuktara 1/18)
Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets.