BD's hopes dashed

Pakistan pace bowler Sana Mir (L) celebrates the wicket of Bangladesh opener Ayesha Akhter during their Gremeenphone tri-nation Women's Cricket Tournament second-leg match at the Shaheed Flight Lt. Motiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna yesterday. Photo: Courtesy

Visiting Pakistan have confirmed their berth in the final of the Grameenphone Women's Tri-Nation Cricket Series with Sri Lanka after a resounding nine-wicket victory over hosts Bangladesh in the last league match at the Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna yesterday.
The final will be held on February 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
On Friday, Bangladesh opened up a window of opportunity to play in the final after a stunning six-wicket defeat on fevourites Sri Lanka, but their dreams were shattered by yesterday's loss in what was a dreary batting performance.
Earlier, in the tournament's opening match Pakistan also registered a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Bogra.
The tourists sent Bangladesh into bat first, where the hosts suffered a serious batting jolt in the beginning and were bundled out for 94 runs in 34.4 overs.
Only two Bangladeshi batters - opener Ayesha Akhter(21) and captain Salma Khatun(18) reached double figures while the highest contribution came from 23 extras.
Leg-spinner Naila Nazeer caused the major damage in Bangladesh batting grabbing three wickets for 23 runs while pace woman Sana Mir captured two wickets for 12 runs.
In reply, Pakistan reached he target making 96 runs in 20.1 overs for the loss of only one wicket.
After the departure of opener Qanita Jalil (24), another opener Bismah Maroof knocked an unbeaten 41 which included seven boundaries and one down Nain Abidi's 19 not guided Pakistan to triumph. Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun took the only wicket that fell in the Pakistan innings.
Bismah Maroof of Pakistan was named player of the match.
Bangladesh started the tournament on a dreadful note losing both their matches in Bogra, but a spirited performance against Sri Lanka on Friday warranted their claim for one-day recognition by the ICC. Before the tournament started, captain Salma Khatun promised to put up a fighting act on the field but this loss has exposed her team's weaknesses against big sides.
BRIEF SCORE:
BANGLADESH 94 all out in 34.4 overs (Ayesha 21, Salma Khatun 18, extras 23; Naila Nazeer 3-23, Sana Mir 2-12)
PAKISTAN 96-1 in 20.1 overs (Bismah Mahroof 41 not out, Qanita Jalil 24; Salma Khatun 1-25)