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NEW DELHI: Bangladesh produced a commanding performance to hand Pakistan a crushing seven-wicket defeat in their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 opener on Thursday. A composed half-century from Rubya Haider, combined with her match-winning partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana, powered the visitors to an emphatic victory at Colombo.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Chasing a below-par 130, Bangladesh initially struggled, losing early wickets as Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter fell cheaply. At 23 for 1 after 10 overs, the chase appeared tricky. Scorecard: Bangladesh vs PakistanHowever, Rubya Haider, 28, played with measured caution before launching into a flurry of boundaries to take control. Her 77-ball unbeaten 54, featuring eight fours, was complemented by a patient 62-run stand with Nigar Sultana (23 off 44 balls) for the third wicket, taking Bangladesh to 131 for 3 in just 31.1 overs with 113 balls to spare.Bangladesh’s victory was built on disciplined bowling, with teenage pacer Marufa Akter leading the charge. The 20-year-old right-arm pacer dismantled Pakistan’s top order, dismissing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin for first-ball ducks in the opening over, reducing Pakistan to 2/2.
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Veteran spinner Nahida Akter (2/19) compounded the damage, sending back Muneeba Ali (17) and Rameen Shamim (23) shortly after the powerplay, leaving Pakistan reeling at 47/4.The lower order offered little resistance, with Shorna Akter (3/5) finishing the innings as Pakistan were bowled out for 129 in 38.3 overs, unable to maintain a run rate above four. Pakistan’s innings featured just 14 boundaries, reflecting the disciplined line and length executed by Bangladesh bowlers throughout.Rubya’s counter-attacking innings, combined with Bangladesh’s clinical bowling and smart field placements, ensured that Pakistan never recovered from the early shocks. The win sets a dominant tone for Bangladesh in the tournament, highlighting their depth in both batting and bowling against a fragile Pakistan side.
