All-rounder Shorna Akter led the way with an unbeaten 39 as Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 23 runs at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Saturday, sealing a second win of the tournament for the first time in their history.
After a good start provided by the Pakistan openers in Southampton, Fatima Sana's side required a run a ball from their last 10 overs with eight wickets in hand, reports The Daily Sun.
However, the Bangladesh bowlers staged a remarkable comeback, bagging six wickets and leaking only 36 runs to pick up a memorable win, and eliminate Pakistan and the Netherlands in the process.
The Tigresses had been reduced to 13 for three inside the powerplay after choosing to bat first, with Pakistan's bowlers exploiting early movement.
A 35-run stand between Sobhana Mostary (22) and captain Nigar Sultana Joty (36) steadied the innings, but it was 19-year-old Shorna who turned a struggling total into a defendable one.
Walking out with Bangladesh still finding their feet, Shorna counter-attacked from the start, striking five fours in 22 balls — including 14 runs in the penultimate over alone — to drag her side to 123 for six.
It proved to be the difference between a total Pakistan could chase down and one that gave the bowlers something to work with.
Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter (3/18) gave Bangladesh twin breakthroughs, removing Gull Feroza for 23 and Muneeba Ali for 25 in successive overs to halt a brisk Pakistan start of 41 without loss.
Nahida created a slice of history as she went past 200 international wickets, becoming the first Bangladesh woman cricketer to reach the landmark.
Sanjida Akter Meghla (3/21) also starred with the cherry while Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni shared the remaining wickets as Pakistan, needing the win just as badly, were restricted to 100/8.
Only captain Fatima, with 10, passed double figure outside the top three.
The win — following an opening victory over the Dutch and a defeat to Australia — puts Bangladesh third in Group A with two wins from three matches, a feat the side has never previously achieved at a single edition of the tournament.
They next face India and South Africa, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
