CAPE TOWN: Pakistan started their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 on a winning note with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the warm-up match here on Monday.

After opting to bat first, Bangladesh’s batting lineup could not live up to the expectation of their skipper as the side could pile up 101/7 in the set of 20 overs despite Shamima Sultan top-scoring with 36. Bangladesh had a dismal start to their innings as they lost opener Salma Khatun (8) for a mere 13 runs in the fourth over.

Following this, Sobhana Mostary and Shamima stitched an important 38-run partnership for the second wicket before the former perished in the 10th over after scoring 18 off 21. Shamima then put on a brief 20-run partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana (15) before eventually falling in the 14th over after scoring 36 off 41 deliveries and smashing three boundaries. The rest of the Bangladesh batters remained clueless against disciplined Pakistan’s bowling attack as six of their batters failed to amass double figures.

Experienced all-rounder Nida Dar and Nashra Sandhu led the bowling attack for Pakistan with two wickets each, while Sadia Iqbal, Aiman Anwer and Tuba Hasan made one scalp each.

Set to chase a meagre 102, Pakistan comfortably clinched a confidence-boosting victory by six wickets and 24 balls to spare.

Skipper Bismah Maroof led from the front after a shaky start and remained the joint top-scorer for her side with Nida Dar as both scored 24. Hard-hitting batter Ayesha Naseem then struck a quick 20 off just 10 balls to make sure Pakistan sail through in a dominant fashion.

The Green Shirts will now take South Africa in their next warm-up match on Wednesday before starting their main round campaign against arch-rivals India on Sunday (February 12).

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 08 2023

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