Pakistan Women face the threat of an early exit from the T20 World Cup after shock players against Bangladesh

Pakistan are in deep danger of crashing out of the Women’s T20 World Cup after they were beaten by Bangladesh by 20 runs in a Group A match at the iconic Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday. Chasing a target of 164, Pakistan were comfortably held at 69 for two after 11 overs, but then suffered a dramatic and horror batting collapse.

Pakistan managed to score just 20 runs in their last nine matches, while Bangladesh snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in remarkable fashion. Pakistan still have two matches left in the group stage, but their qualification fate is no longer in their hands or in their own hands.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh Women’s World Cup T20: Highlights | Scorecard

If India beat South Africa in Manchester on Sunday, Pakistan will be officially and mathematically out of the competition.

JOTY, SHORNA HELP BANGLADESH HEAL

Bangladesh staged a strong recovery from an early collapse to post 123/6 in the Rose Bowl. With semi-final hopes on the line, they were immediately in trouble as Fatima Sana struck twice in the opener. Dilara Akter fell for five, Sharmin Akhter was dismissed for a duck and Juairiya Ferdous departed for seven, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 13/3.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty led the charge with a composed 36 off 38 balls, smashing five boundaries and anchoring the innings. She was well supported by Sobhana Mostary who made 22 off 19 deliveries as the pair rebuilt from early damage.

Pakistan’s bowlers maintained tight control through the middle overs, with Fatima Sana finishing with figures of 4-1-18-2, while Nashra Sandhu was economical, conceding just 14 runs in her four-over spell. Sadia Iqbal, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan also chipped in with a goal.

Just when Bangladesh looked to be slipping to a sub-par total, Shorna Akter provided the late pace with an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls at a strike rate of 177.27. Her aggressive knock with five boundaries lifted Bangladesh from 92/6 to a competitive finish. While the total is not dominant, Bangladesh will take confidence from the resilience shown by the middle and lower order after an early collapse.

PAKISTAN ENDURES HORROR BATTING COLLAPSE

Pakistan endured another stunning batting performance as they were restricted to 100 for 8 by Bangladesh. Pakistan did not race but looked on course for a competitive total in the first half of the innings, with the required run-rate hovering around the run-a-ball.

Muneeba Ali again showed resistance at the top, scoring 25 off 30 balls with a boundary and a six, but her dismissal on 69 marked the start of a steady decline. Gull Feroza had earlier made a blistering start with 23 off 18 balls, hitting four boundaries before falling at the power-play stage.

The middle order failed to capitalize, with Ayesha Zafar (11), Iram Javed (9) and skipper Fatima Sana (10) all making starts but unable to convert them into meaningful contributions. Pakistan slipped from a promising position of 69 for 2 to 84 for 8, losing six wickets for just 15 runs in a dramatic collapse.

Bangladesh’s spin attack proved decisive, led by Nahida Akter who took 3 for 18, while Sanjida Akter Meghla also picked up 3 wickets. Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni chipped in with one wicket each as Pakistan looked to alternate strikes and build partnerships.

Lower-order batsmen Nashra Sandhu and Tasmia Rubab added late runs, but by then Pakistan were out of the contest. Pakistan will now look to the match between India and South Africa, where a win for India would officially knock them out of the tournament.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

20 Jun 2026 22:32 IST