SYLHET: Bowlers stormed through Bangladesh’s batting line before Sidra Ameen powered Pakistan to a comprehensive nine-wickets win in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 on Monday. The national women’s team started the tournament on a high note as they bagged back-to-back victories on consecutive days.

Batting first, on the invitation of Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, the Bangladesh batting line-up failed completely and managed to amass a paltry 70/8 in the allotted 20 overs. Salma Khatun fought hard with a gritty knock of 24 not-out off 29 deliveries with the help of two boundaries amid a dismal batting show as seven of Bangladesh’s batters were dismissed without entering double figures.

Skipper Niger Sultana managed 17 off 30 after Diana Baig and Nida Dar wreaked havoc on top order and reduced the hosts to 3/3 in the fifth over. For Pakistan, Dar and Diana bagged two wickets each while Omaima Sohail and Sadia Iqbal took a scalp apiece. Set to chase a paltry total of 71, Pakistan’s opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen gave their side a solid start as they amassed 49 runs at a rapid pace. Salma then struck in the eighth over to break the strong partnership as she castled Muneeba after she scored 14 off 19.

Skipper Bismah then joined Sidra at the crease and took Pakistan to their second triumph of the ongoing Asia Cup as they chased down the target in the thirteenth over with nine wickets to spare. Sidra top-scored for the side with an unbeaten 36 off 35 deliveries, laced with four boundaries, while Bismah scored a run-a-ball eight not-out. Earlier, Pakistan beat Malaysia by nine wickets on Sunday to secure their first win of Women’s Asia Cup 2022. Pakistan will now lock horns with Thailand on Thursday before facing arch-rivals India on Friday.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 04 2022

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