DHAKA: A resolute century stand between Javeria Khan and Bismah Maroof helped Pakistan Women secure a 13-run win over Bangladesh Women in the first Twenty20 International between the two sides at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium at Cox’s Bazar on Saturday.
Javeria and Maroof added 109 runs stand for the third wicket, helping Pakistan post 126 for 4 in 20 overs. Bangladesh fought hard but lost wickets at regular intervals and eventually fell short of the target, finishing at 113 for 6 in 20 overs.
Lata Mondal and Panna Ghosh made early inroads and reduced Pakistan to 12 for 2 after they opted to bat.
Javeria and Maroof then forged a partnership that lasted nearly 16 overs to help Pakistan post a defendable total.
They both were dismissed in the final over, with Javeria bowled by Jahanara Alam for 58 and Maroof run out for 38.
Bangladesh openers Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman started off strongly, sharing a 30-run stand, but Sana Mir dismissed Rahman and a flurry of wickets followed.
Sultana and captain Salma Khatun were dismissed in the span of two overs by Asmavia Iqbal, reducing Bangladesh to 33 for 3 in the seventh over.
Fargana Hoque and Rumana Ahmed then took charge and shared a 41-run stand for the fourth wicket.
But when they too fell in quick succession, Bangladesh fell short by 13 runs.
Asmavia returned figures of 2 for 22 in her four overs.
The win helped Pakistan take 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the second and final T20I to be played on Saturday.
The matches will provide both teams a good chance to gain momentum ahead of ICC Women T20 World Cup, which begins March 23 in Bangladesh.
