KARACHI - October 4, 2015: Sana Mir-led Pakistan women cricket team maintained its win run from its T20I series triumph to clinching the opening ODI of the two-match rubber against Bangladesh here at Southend ground on Sunday.
In fact it was the T20I series heroine, all-rounder Bismah Maroof, who laid the foundation of a 20-run win despite courageous fightback from Bangladesh’s Rumana Ahmed. Bismah, who was players of the series for her all-round performance in the T20I matches sweep earlier in the week, scored 92 off 128 balls to propel Pakistan to 214 before the left-arm spinner Anam Amin collected 3 for 25 to restrict Bangladesh to 194 for 9.
With this win, Pakistan girls have a 1-0 lead over Bangladesh women who fought their heart out to stay in the game. But Bisbah and Anam took the match away from the visiting team.
Bismah was visibly the prominent performer with the bat for an otherwise defensive batting display from other batswomen who all caved in with a ball remaining after electing to bat first. In reply, Bangladesh managed 194 for 9 in their allotted overs.
Pakistan, after winning the toss, got off to a sluggish start and found themselves struggling at 38 for 2. However, they recovered through a 61-run partnership for the third wicket between Nain Abidi (27 off 45) and Bismah. Two more quick wickets reduced Pakistan to 99 for 4, but Bismah kept the score ticking by anchoring the lower order and helped her team past the 200-run mark.
The hosts' openers Javeria Khan (21) and Sidra Ameen (12) were back in the pavilion within 38 runs but Bismah then paired with Nain Abidi (27) to steady the ship.
Although Bismah (92) kept losing partners at the other end, she fought a lone battle and took her team across the 200 mark but missed out on her century.
Salma returned 3 for 31 in 10 over for Bangladesh while Khadija Tul Kubra, Lata Mondal, Nahida Akter and Fahima Khatun chipped in with a wicket each.
From the visiting team line up, Shamima Sultana (24) and Fargana Hoque (26) built a solid foundation for their chase.
Bangladesh were 104 for 3 at one stage but quick departures of Fargana, Salma Khatun (3), Ritu Moni (7) and Fahima Khatun (2) put them under pressure.
The visitors began the chase cautiously, and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Rumana Ahmed was the only batswomen to put up a resistance, scoring 70. She was involved in two crucial stands worth 44, for the fourth and eighth wickets, but they were in vain, as none of the other senior players stood up with a substantial knock.
Rumana and Jahanara Alam (23) tried to recover but it was already too late. Rumana played a fine knock of 70 before she fell with Bangladesh on 190. Pakistan's Anam Amin took 3 for 25 as Asmavia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz and Bismah shared one wicket each.
Meanwhile, Diana Baig, who is also a professional Pakistan footballer and represented the Pakistan women’s football team in the SAFF games, debuted today. For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter was given the debutante cap.
Before this, the Bangladeshi girls lost the T20I series 2-0. The second and last one-dayer will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
Scorecard
