Bangladesh lose opener
A combo picture shows, (L) Pakistan's Nain Abidi playing on the leg side during her match-winning innings of 65 against Bangladesh at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday. (R) Cricket lovers turned out in droves to support the Bangladeshi ladies in the tri-nation opener. Photo: Courtesy
Pakistan made a flying start in the Grameen Phone tri-nation women's cricket tournament beating Bangladesh by seven wickets at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra yesterday.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Pakistani bowlers dominated throughout the Bangladesh's innings and bowled the hosts out for a small total of 109 in 46.1 overs.
Only four Bangladeshi batters -- opener Shathira Zakir (16), skipper Salma Khatun (16), Lata Mandal (26) and Shohely Akter (22) -- reached double digits in the face of some strict bowling by the Pakistan bowlers.
Javeria Khan claimed three wickets for 20 runs and Qanita Jalil captured two wickets for 17 runs while Almas Akram, Sana Mir, Sajida Shah and skipper Urooj Mumtaz took one apiece.
In reply, Pakistan easily reached the target in 33.4 overs for the loss of just three wickets.
Opener Nain Abidi, who was later adjudged woman of the match, top scored with 65 runs off 96 balls with 11 fours while Bismah Mahroof and Sajida Shah added 12 and 17 runs respectively.
Shuktara Rahman and Champa Chakma grabbed one wicket each for 6 and 12 runs respectively.
Bangladesh captain Salma Khatun said that her team fell in a crisis from the beginning.
"Basically our promising batters couldn't play well, which is the reason why we collapsed to such a small total", said Salma.
When asked about the gains from the match, Salma added, "We don't say that we are satisfied since we lost the match but we will have to wait for the upcoming matches and I hope our girls will do better in the next matches".
Pakistan team captain Urooj Mumtaz Khan was satisfied with her team's performance and admitted that her team worked very hard to bowl the hosts out for 109, despite dropping two catches but believed Pakistan could have won the match by a larger margin.
"Yes, it is a great rehearsal for us before the World Cup where Sri Lanka is also in the pool. Bangladesh is also a very good side and they played very well in the last Asia Cup. This is the first victory of the tournament and we will get another warm up match tomorrow with Sri Lanka and hopefully we will win," said a contented Urooj at the post match press conference in Bogra.
When asked about the cricket lovers of Bogra, Urooj added, "Crowd was absolutely magnificent and I think I have never played in front of such a crowd; there were thousands of people who are very gentle and they supported both the teams which I told to my mates, I am really grateful and thank the Bangladeshi crowd for coming and out and supporting women's cricket.
Pakistan will play their second match against Sri Lanka tomorrow (Saturday) at the same venue today.
BRIEF SCORES:
BANGLADESH- 109 for all in 46.1 overs (Shathira 16, Ayesha 4, Salma 16, Lata 26, Shohely 22, extras 20; Javeria 3/20, Qanita 2/17, Almas 1/5)
PAKISTAN- 110 for 3 in 33.4 overs (Abidi 65, Bismah 12, Sajida 17 extras 16; Shuktara 1/6, Champa 1/12)
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