In a huge game and rivalry between both teams, it was Shorna Akter who played an important cameo towards the end and stunned Pakistan to keep them winless. Shorna Akter came in after Bangladesh were in early trouble, but she rescued them. Bangladesh struggled in the power play, losing 3 early scalps, but through captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Shorna Akter recovered well to get to 123/6 in 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan were 49/0 and had a wicketless power play. But once they lost wickets, they lost the plot totally. Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter Meghla spun a web with 3 wickets each, while the others kept it tight as Pakistan fell to spin to left-arm spin as they collapsed and finished with 100/8 to lose the game by 23 runs as Bangladesh pulled off a monumental upset to keep their semi-finals hopes alive. Pakistan are eliminated for sure.
Shorna Akter’s useful cameo takes Bangladesh to a competitive 123/6 in 20 overs
Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous came out to open the batting for Bangladesh while Sadia Iqbal had the ball in hand for Pakistan. Bangladesh were off to a shaky start as the opening duo could add 5 runs to the tally before Dilara fell for 5 off 7 balls with one four to her name, to captain Fatima Sana. Sharmin Akhter came out to bat next. Fatima had two in the over as Sharmin fell for a bronze duck.
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty came out to bat next. Just 8 runs were added to the tally before Ferdous fell for 7 off 11 balls to Tasmia Rubab as Bangladesh were reduced to 13/3 inside the first five overs. Sobhana Mostary came out to bat next. The duo tried to forge some sort of a partnership and crawled their way to 23/3 in the first 6 overs of power play.
The duo tried to play their way through the middle phase as the duo added 35 runs for the 4th wicket before Mostary fell for 22 off 19 balls with 3 fours to her name to Nashra Sandhu as Bangladesh were 4 down inside the first 10 overs. Ritu Moni came out to bat next. Moni and Sultana then got together as the captain did the bulk of the scoring in the partnership. The duo added 24 runs for the 5th wicket before Moni fell for 7 off 16 balls to Tuba Hassan.
Shorna Akter joined Nigar Sultana in the middle. The duo of Shorna and Joty added 20 runs for the 6th wicket before Sultana fell for a well-made 36 off 38 balls with 5 fours to her name to Sadia Iqbal. Rabeya Khan joined Shorna in the middle and played the role of the supporting act. But it was the Shorna show in the last 2.4 overs as Bangladesh added valuable runs towards the end.
The duo added 31 runs for the 7th wicket unbroken, with Shorna remaining unbeaten on 39 off 22 balls with 5 fours to her name, while Rabeya remained unbeaten on 4 off 4 balls. 3 extras were given by the fielding side as Bangladesh recovered from a shaky start to post a defendable 123/6 in 20 overs.
It was a disciplined bowling performance by Pakistan’s bowlers. Fatima Sana, the captain, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/18 in 4 overs. Nashra Sandhu finished with 1/14 in 4 overs. Sadia Iqbal finished with 1/21 in 4 overs. Tuba Hassan finished with 1/30 in 4 overs. Tasmia Rubab finished with 1/40 in 4 overs. This meant that Pakistan needed 124 runs to win this contest.
Nahida Akter & Sanjida Akter Meghla’s 3-wicket hauls squeeze Pakistan to another loss
Chasing 124 for the win, keeper batter Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza opened the batting for Pakistan while Marufa Akter had the ball in hand for Bangladesh. The Pakistan openers gave the Women in Green a solid start in the chase inside the power play. After playing cautiously for the first couple of overs, they decided to up the ante a little bit. The duo made sure that Pakistan won the power play and went through it unscathed. Pakistan were 41/0 in 6 overs of power play.
The duo added 49 runs for the first wicket inside 7.3 overs before Feroza departed for 23 off 18 balls with 4 fours to her name to Nahida Akter. Ayesha Zafar came out to bat next. The duo for the second wicket added 9 runs before Muneeba fell for 25 off 30 balls with one four and one six to her name to Nahida Akter. Iram Javed came out to bat next.
The duo tried to forge some sort of partnership and could add only 12 runs to the tally before Ayesha fell for 11 off 12 balls with one four to her name to Sanjida Akter Meghla. Aliya Riaz came out to bat next. Meghla had two in the over as she dismissed Riaz for a bronze duck. Captain Fatima Sana came out to bat next. The collapse began to unravel next.
Just 6 runs were added to the tally before Javed fell for 9 off 13 balls to Rabeya Khan. Saira Jabeen came out to bat next. Just one run was added to the tally before Jabeen fell for a 6-ball duck to Meghla. Tuba Hassan came out to bat next. Just 3 runs were added to the score before Hassan fell for 1 off 2 balls to Ritu Moni. Nashra Sandhu came out to bat next. Fatima Sana was still there at the crease.
Just 4 runs were added to the tally before the final nail in the coffin was delivered as the Pakistan captain, Fatima Sana, fell for 10 off 17 balls to Nahida Akter. Tasmia Rubab came out to bat next. The game was as good as over now. The duo for the 9th wicket added 16 unbeaten runs for the 9th wicket to take Pakistan to 100, but that was the game. Nashra remained unbeaten on 9 off 10 balls while Rubab was unbeaten on 7 off 9 balls. 5 extras given by the fielding side as Pakistan finished with 100/8 in 20 overs.
For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter was the pick of the bowlers who finished with 3/18 in 4 overs. Sanjida Akter Meghla finished with 3/21 in 4 overs. Rabeya Khan finished with 1/17 in 4 overs. Ritu Moni finished with 1/24 in 4 overs. Marufa Akter finished with 0/18 in 4 overs. So, Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 23 runs. Shorna Akter was awarded the Player of the Match Award.
What Lies Ahead
Pakistan are still winless in the T20 World Cup 2026. They have Australia to come next before they face the Netherlands. Bangladesh have got 2 wins in 3 games and will now play India and South Africa next back-to-back. More action coming our way as we have a Group B clash between England and Scotland coming our way next from Leeds, Headingley.
So, a lot to look forward to on Super Saturday triple-header.
Also Read:Â PAK vs BAN: Pakistan & Bangladesh Aim To Keep Their Semi-finals Hopes Alive