Bangladesh Women secured a dominating victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 by winning seven wickets against Pakistan Women in Match 3 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The Bangladesh side put in a complete performance by allowing their bowlers to restrict Pakistan to a cheap total and then allowing their batters to chase it down with ease.

Pakistan, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, had a disastrous start. Both openers Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin were dismissed for ducks, leaving the side under pressure from the first over. Muneeba Ali tried to fight back but only made 17, while Aliya Riaz (13) and Sidra Nawaz (15) also failed to make big scores. The only resistance came from Rameen Shamim with 23 and captain Fatima Sana with 22. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Pakistan were bowled out for just 129 in 38.3 overs.

Bangladesh bowlers were outstanding. Shorna Akter led the way with a brilliant spell of 3/5 in 3.3 overs, including three maidens. Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter took two wickets each to keep Pakistan on the back foot. Chasing 130, Bangladesh never looked troubled. Rubya Haider impressed on debut with 54 runs off 77 balls, while Sobhana Mostary (24) and captain Nigar Sultana (23) guided the team to victory in 31.1 overs.

PAK-W vs BAN-W: Who said what?

Marufa Akter (Player of the Match):

“Everyone supported me. Sobhana Mostary, whenever I bowled, she tells me that you are a good bowler and you can do it for the team. The team analyst also told me two months back that I can get the player of the match and it has happened. (On getting swing with the new ball) First four balls, I look to assess the conditions. I was getting good swing and I was maintaining good line and length. Both wickets, were good (chuckles). Yes, first, I cannot understand where the ball went but then I figured and went for it the next time. I always feel that I am the best fielder in the team.”

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Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh Captain):

“Yeah, I am happy. See, a good toss to lose. We wanted to bat first as well. I just told my girls that we need quick wickets in the powerplay and how Marufa bowled in the powerplay, she stole the show. I think, she (Marufa Akter) is very young and mature cricketer. She knows her role well. How she delivered today in the middle is quite incredible. See, after the first innings, we talked about playing our natural game. I think Jhelik (Rubya Haider) batted well on her debut and other batters around her batted well. I think, sometimes you feel pressure when you lose early wickets. We wanted to build partnerships. This is the kind of culture we wanted to create in our team. We wanted to start well and carry this momentum into the tournement.”

Fatima Sana (Pakistan Captain):

“I think in the first over of the match, we gave a couple of wickets and that was the turning point. In the next game, we will try to make a comeback in the World Cup. I think we just collapsed during our batting. Some players are playing their first World Cup and they are definitely under a bit more pressure. However, the team atmosphere is very good and we as a unit are gelling very well. I think it was a better pitch for the pacers as it was seaming a bit but it was good enough for batting as well. We were unable to execute our plans in the first innings.”