LAHORE: A responsible knock from opener Nahida Khan backed by fine bowling by former skipper Sana Mir inspired Pakistan women’s team to a 29-run victory against Bangladesh in the first One-day International of the two-match series here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

After electing to bat first, Pakistan posted a modest 215 all out in 48.5 overs. In reply, Bangladesh also failed to utilise full quota of 50 overs and were dismissed for 186 in 47.4 overs. Sana Mir finished with figures of three for 49, while pacer Diana Baig (2-43) and Nashra Sandhu (2-28) also bowled well.

Earlier, Nahida and fellow opener Sidra Amin (21) provided a good opening stand of 59. But Fatima Khatun took back-to-back wickets to slow down Pakistan’s advance. First she clean bowled Sidra at the total of 59 and soon she accounted for Javeria Khan (2) to make the hosts slide to 62-2.

But Nahida along with her captain Bismah Maroof (39, five fours) steadied the innings adding 69 runs for the third wicket to take the total to 131. Bismah at this stage was cleaned up by top wicket-taker Jahanara Alam. Aliya Riaz (37, three fours, two sixes, 33 balls) and Omaima Sohail (29) were the other key scorers.

Nahida, who was later named player-of-the-match, was caught by Rumana Ahmed off Nahida Akhtar for a fine 97-ball 68 featuring seven fours.

Jahanara gave away 44 runs to claim three wickets in 10 overs. Panna Ghosh took two wickets for 12 and Nahida Akter finished with two for 15.

In their chase, Bangladesh’s wicket-keeper/batter Nigar Sultana remained the top-scorer making a 77-ball 58. She struck four boundaries and one six. Except for Nigar no other Bangladeshi player could bat with any degree of authority as wickets fell regularly.

The tourists’ top order was back in the dressing room at the total of 104. Sana, who finished as the main wicket-taker, also dismissed Nigar, caught by Sidra Amin. Only Rumana (28) and Fargana Hoque (27) could offer some resistance from the Bangladesh side.

The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on Monday.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN 215 in 48.5 overs (Nahida Khan 68, Bismah Maroof 39, Aliya Riaz 37, Omaima Sohail 29, Sidra Amin 21; Jahanara Alam 3-44, Panna Ghosh 2-12, Nahida Akter (2-15); BANGLADESH 186 in 47.4 overs (Nigar Sultana 58, Rumana Ahmed 28; Sana Mir 3-49, Diana Baig 2-43, Sadia Iqbal 2-38, Nashra Sandhu 2-28).

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2019