Bangladesh Bowlers Shine Against Pakistan in Women's World Cup Opener

In Colombo on October 2, a disciplined bowling performance from Bangladesh, spearheaded by the young pace bowler Marufa Akter and veteran spinner Nahida Akter, restricted Pakistan to a modest 129 all out in 38.3 overs during their ICC Women's World Cup opening match on Thursday. Marufa, a 20-year-old right-arm pacer who has emerged as a key bowler for Bangladesh, delivered a stunning start by dismissing opener Omaima Sohail and the experienced Sidra Amin for first-ball ducks in the very first over. This shocking double strike left Fatima Sana's side struggling at 2/1. Nahida Akter, an accomplished slow left-arm bowler, tightened the screws on Pakistan's innings further by removing opener Muneeba Ali (17) and Rameen Shamim (23) in quick succession just after the powerplay, quashing their budding partnership hopes. By the end of the powerplay overs, Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 41/2, with Marufa's precise attack initiating the collapse. In her 27th WODI appearance, Marufa used the new ball to great effect, surprising Pakistan with a brilliant full-length inswinger that shattered Omaima Sohail's leg stump. The very next delivery claimed Sidra Amin, who was beaten by significant inswing as she attempted a drive, losing her leg stump in the process. The other opener, Muneeba Ali, seemed to regain composure briefly with a couple of boundaries in the fourth over off right-arm spinner Nishita Akter Nishi. However, she too fell as the team slumped to 44/3. Her partner Rameen Shamim, with whom she had constructed a 42-run stand, was also dismissed shortly thereafter, dragging Pakistan down to 44/7 in the 14th over. Pakistan struggled to accelerate the run-rate, as frequent wickets hampered their progress, and the Bangladesh bowlers, rotating tactically, kept the opposition batters on their toes. With their run-rate rarely breaching four runs per over, Pakistan only reached the 100 mark in the 30th over. They managed just 14 boundaries in their innings, with only four coming during the powerplay, highlighting their slow scoring pace.