DHAKA: Spinners Nida Dar, Sadia Iqbal and Umm-e-Hani shared 10 wickets among them as Pakistan women beat their Bangladesh counterparts by five wickets in the first ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.

The victory marked Pakistan women’s seventh win in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 from 13 matches.

Wicket-keeper/batter Najiha Alvi made her ODI debut on Saturday, becoming the 91st women cricketer to represent Pakistan.

Chasing a slim target of 82, Pakistan lost four wickets for 42 runs in 14 overs before Nida was joined by Aliya Riaz as the experienced pair built a 28-run partnership. Nida remained unbeaten on 35 (off 59 deliveries) with the help of three boundaries.

Earlier after opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to get going as fast bowler Diana Baig kept the batters in check from one end, while left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal clinched the first four wickets to fall from the other, leaving the hosts reeling at 25-4 in 13.3 overs.

At that stage, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana and Fahima Khatun (18 off 37 balls) added 22 runs for the fifth wicket. Nigar was the next to go as opposing captain Nida bowled her out in the 21st over for a 32-ball 13. Nida, with her off-spin bowling went on to pick another two wickets, finishing with figures of three for 10 in six overs.

Fellow off-spinner Umm-e-Hani, grabbed three wickets for 20 in 5.5 overs. Sadia had figures of 9-2-13-4, her career-best show in ODI cricket.

The hosts were eventually bundled out for 81 in 31.5 overs. This was Bangladesh women’s lowest ODI total against Pakistan and their fifth overall in ODIs.

Nida was declared player-of-the-match for her splendid all-round display.

The second ODI of the three-match series will be played at the same venue on Nov 7.

Summarised scores:

BANGLADESH WOMEN 81 in 31.5 overs (Fahima Khatun 18, Ritu Moni 14, Nigar Sultana 13; Sadia Iqbal 4-13, Nida Dar 3-10, Umm-e-Hani 3-20); PAKISTAN WOMEN 85-5 in 24.5 overs (Nida Dar 35 not out, Aliya Riaz 16; Nahida Akter 3-30, Fahima Khatun 1-15.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2023