Pakistan suffer batting collapse as Bangladesh seal 23-run victory
SOUTHAMPTON: Bangladesh produced a disciplined bowling display, led by Sanjida Akter Meghla and Nahida Akter, to secure a 23-run victory over Pakistan in the 15th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at The Rose Bowl on Saturday.
Chasing a manageable target of 124, Pakistan appeared in control early in the innings before suffering a dramatic batting collapse, eventually finishing on 100/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Green Shirts started positively through openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali, who put together a steady 49-run opening stand. The breakthrough came in the eighth over when Nahida Akter removed Feroza, who scored 23 runs from 18 balls with four boundaries.
Nahida struck again shortly afterwards, sending back Muneeba Ali after her careful 25-run knock off 30 balls, which included one six and one four.
Pakistan’s innings then unraveled rapidly as they lost six wickets for only 26 runs, sliding from a promising position to 84/8 by the 18th over.
Late resistance from Nashra Sandhu and Tasmia Rubab added a few runs towards the end, but the lower-order pair could not rescue Pakistan from defeat.
Nahida and Sanjida finished with three wickets each to lead Bangladesh’s bowling effort, while Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni also contributed with a wicket each.
Earlier, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat first and ended their innings on 123/6 in 20 overs, with captain Nigar Sultana and Shorna Akter playing important roles.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana gave her side a dream start by striking twice in the second over, dismissing Dilara Akter and Sharmin Akter to leave Bangladesh under immediate pressure.
Tasmia Rubab then removed Juairiya Ferdous as Bangladesh slipped further to 13/3.
Facing a difficult situation, Sobhana Mostary and Nigar Sultana steadied the innings with a valuable partnership. The pair added 35 runs before Nashra Sandhu broke the stand by dismissing Mostary, who made 22 from 19 deliveries with three boundaries.
Sultana later stitched together useful partnerships with Ritu Moni and Shorna Akter before being dismissed by Sadia Iqbal after scoring 36 runs from 38 balls, including five fours.
Shorna then accelerated in the closing stages and provided Bangladesh with a crucial boost, remaining unbeaten on 39 from 22 balls with five boundaries.
For Pakistan, Fatima Sana was the most effective bowler with figures of 2/18 in four overs, while Tuba Hassan, Tasmia Rubab, Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal claimed one wicket each.
