The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has officially delivered its first major upset and a display of absolute dominance from the Bangladesh Women’s team. The highly-anticipated clash between Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women on October 2nd in Colombo, Sri Lanka, turned into a stunning showcase of clinical cricket by the Tigresses, securing a massive 7-wicket victory with a staggering 113 balls to spare.
If you missed the action, you missed a masterclass in controlled aggression and bowling discipline. This was more than just a win; it was a statement that Bangladesh is a serious contender, especially in the spin-friendly conditions of the sub-continent. Let’s dive deep into the thrilling Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women highlights and uncover the turning points that defined this one-sided affair.
A Disastrous Start for Pakistan’s Batting Order
Pakistan Women won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that quickly unravelled into a nightmare. The opening over, bowled by the fiery young pacer Marufa Akter, set the tone for the entire innings.
- Marufa Akter’s Double Strike: In a truly shocking start, Marufa claimed two wickets in the very first over, dismissing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin for golden ducks. This catastrophic beginning left Pakistan reeling at 2/2 and shattered their confidence immediately.
- The Collapsing Middle Order: While Muneeba Ali and Rameen Shamim offered brief resistance with a small partnership, the middle order failed to build any significant momentum. Spinners Nahida Akter and Shorna Akter soon took control, spinning a web that the Pakistani batters couldn’t escape.
Captain Fatima Sana later acknowledged the loss of early wickets as the pivotal turning point, lamenting the team’s inability to regroup. The batters consistently struggled with the disciplined line and length of the Bangladesh attack, reflected in the low boundary count for the entire innings.
Bowling Brilliance: Bangladesh’s Spin and Pace Masterclass
Bangladesh’s bowling unit was simply sensational, executing their plans to perfection and not giving the Pakistani batters an inch. The blend of pace and spin proved too potent for Pakistan’s lineup.
Key Bowling Highlights:
- Marufa Akter (Player of the Match): Her opening spell, particularly the double-wicket maiden, was a match-winning effort right at the start. She set a ferocious tempo that Pakistan could never match.
- Shorna Akter’s Stunning Spell: The young off-spinner delivered a devastating spell of 3.3 overs, claiming three wickets for a meagre five runs (3/5). Her performance was the final nail in the coffin for the lower order, ensuring Pakistan was bowled out well short of their 50 overs.
- Nahida Akter’s Control: The experienced spinner provided excellent support, taking 2/19 and putting a stranglehold on the middle overs alongside Shorna Akter.
The final scorecard read Pakistan Women all out for just 129 runs in 38.3 overs. This low total gave the Bangladeshi batters a massive psychological advantage even before they stepped out to chase.
Debut Delight: Rubya Haider Anchors a Clinical Chase
Chasing 130 was never going to be easy with the pressure of a World Cup match, but Bangladesh approached the target with remarkable calmness and maturity. Despite losing an early wicket, a debutant stepped up to deliver a memorable, match-winning performance.
- Early Jitters: Pakistan’s opening bowler, Diana Baig, bowled an exceptionally tight line, managing to restrict the scoring and take an early wicket to keep Pakistan’s faint hopes alive.
- The Crucial Partnership: The heart of the chase belonged to the third-wicket partnership between debutant opener Rubya Haider and captain Nigar Sultana Joty. They steadied the ship, taking the score from a tricky start to a commanding position.
- Rubya Haider’s Maiden Fifty: Rubya Haider played a sublime innings, showcasing great composure and timing. Her unbeaten knock of 54 runs off 77 balls on debut was the highlight of the chase, featuring eight beautiful boundaries. She was perfectly supported by Nigar Sultana’s patient 23.
Once Nigar Sultana fell, Sobhana Mostary entered to provide the finishing touches, guiding Bangladesh to a resounding 7-wicket victory in the 32nd over.
Also Read: India Women vs Sri Lanka Women World Cup Highlights: Dominant Start
Statistic of the Match: This emphatic win is only the second time Bangladesh has defeated Pakistan in an ODI World Cup match, the first coming in a nail-biting encounter in the 2022 edition. This victory proves their head-to-head record in ODIs is evening out, standing at 8 wins each.
Takeaways for Pakistan and Bangladesh
For Pakistan Women, the immediate takeaway is the urgent need to address their top-order fragility. Losing two wickets in the first over of a major tournament is a critical blow that is hard to recover from. They have a deep and talented squad, but their batting execution must improve drastically if they hope to progress in the tournament, especially with high-stakes matches like the one against their rivals, India, just around the corner.
Moving Forward in the Women’s World Cup 2025
This match has set a fantastic precedent for the rest of the group stages. The Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women highlights show that any team can be defeated on a given day, and the race for the semi-finals is wide open. Bangladesh has secured two crucial points and a great net run rate boost. Pakistan will need a quick turnaround against their next opponent.
Bangladesh Clinches a Statement Win
The contest between Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women in the ICC World Cup 2025 was a thrilling opener to the tournament for these two Asian sides, albeit one that ended decisively. Bangladesh’s clinical bowling and Rubya Haider’s memorable debut performance ensured they started their campaign with a resounding 7-wicket victory.
This is a stark reminder that in World Cup cricket, the team that holds its nerve and executes its basics flawlessly will always come out on top. Bangladesh did exactly that.
FAQs
Q1: Who won the match between Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women in the ICC World Cup 2025?
A: Bangladesh Women won the match convincingly by 7 wickets with 113 balls to spare. They chased down the target of 130 runs with ease.
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match in the Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women World Cup 2025 game?
A: Marufa Akter of Bangladesh Women was named the Player of the Match for her devastating opening spell, which included two wickets in the first over to dismantle Pakistan’s top order.
Q3: Where was the Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women World Cup 2025 match played?
A: The match was played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is one of the co-host venues for the tournament along with venues in India.
Q4: Did any player hit a half-century in the Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women match?
A: Yes, Bangladesh’s opener Rubya Haider scored an unbeaten 54 runs off 77 balls on her World Cup debut, anchoring the chase for her team.
Q5: What was the main reason for Pakistan Women’s defeat in this World Cup match?
A: The primary reason for Pakistan’s defeat was a catastrophic start to their batting innings, losing key wickets very early, including two golden ducks in the first over. They were bowled out for a low total of just 129 runs, which was easily chased by Bangladesh.
