LAHORE: A clinical all-round performance from Bangladesh powered them to a thumping 167-run win over Pakistan A in a warm-up fixture ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted an imposing 276 before being dismissed in the penultimate over.
Skipper Nigar Sultana led from the front with a fluent 70 off 72 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and a six.
She anchored the innings with a vital 109-run stand for the third wicket alongside opener Farzana Haque, who retired out after scoring 50 off 85 deliveries, including five fours.
While Bangladesh slipped to 210/9 at one stage, number 11 batter Jannatul Ferdus produced a stunning late cameo, smashing an unbeaten 46 from just 34 balls to lift her side to a competitive total.
For Pakistan A, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar were the standout bowlers, picking up three wickets apiece, while Tania Saeed chipped in with two scalps.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
In reply, Pakistan A crumbled under pressure and were bundled out by Bangladesh for a paltry 109 in 39.1 overs.
Hani, batting at number eight, top-scored with an unbeaten 26, while Eyman Fatima (17) was the only other batter to reach double figures.
The rest of the batting order faltered against a disciplined Bangladesh bowling unit, with Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, and Rabeya bagging two wickets each. Fariha Islam Trisna and Sumona also contributed with a wicket each.
This heavy defeat marked Pakistan A’s first loss in the warm-up phase of the tournament. Pakistan will officially begin their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign against Ireland on April 9 at the Gaddafi Stadium, while West Indies will face Scotland at the LCCA Ground on the same day.
The top two sides from the league stage will book their tickets to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, joining hosts India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, who already qualified via the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
READ: ICC unveils nominees for Player of the Month awards for March 2025
