Published: 10:24 AM, 22 June 2026
Bangladesh rally past Pakistan in Women's T20 World Cup
Bangladesh created history by sealing their second victory of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as they cruised to a 23-run victory over Pakistan in a Group A match in Southampton on Sunday .-Facebook
An inspired performance by the spinners helped Bangladesh to a 23-run win over Pakistan in a Women's T20 World Cup Group A clash on Sunday.
Defending a modest target of 124, Bangladesh overcame a strong start from their Asian rivals to restrict them to 100/8 in 20 overs. Three-wicket hauls by Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter Meghla left the Pakistan challenge in disarray.
This was third straight defeat for Pakistan and has seriously hampered their chances of making the semi-finals. For Bangladesh, it was a return to form after a heavy defeat against Australia in the previous match.
After being put into field, captain Fatima Sana gave Pakistan the perfect start as she bagged the wickets of opener Dilara Akter and Sharmin Akhter in the very first over.
With Pakistan dominating the proceedings early on, Bangladesh could only muster 23/3 in powerplay.
Captain Nigar Sultana led the recovery effort with a patient 36 and built 35-run partnership with Sobhana Mostary (22) for the fourth wicket.
It was Shorna Akter that gave her team some much-needed momentum at the end. She struck five boundaries, including one off the last ball of the innings, for a 22-ball 39 that took Bangladesh past run-a-ball mark.
In reply, Pakistan made a steady start with Muneeba Ali (25) and Gull Feroza (23) putting on 49 runs for the opening wicket.
Nahida Akter gave Bangladesh the breakthrough in the eighth over as she had Feroza slash straight to backward point, where Mostary held on to a good catch. In her next over, Akter struck again, this time dismissing another set batter Ali.
That opened the floodgates for Bangladesh.
The fragile Pakistan batting line-up once again crumbled at the slightest hint of pressure. While the Bangladesh spinners stuck to a tight line around the stumps, Pakistan batters were guilty of playing too many cross-batted shots, and slipped from 49/1 to 84/8.
Sanjida Akter Meghla, who dismissed Ayesha Zafar and Aliya Riaz in one over, finished with figures of 3/21. Meanwhile, Akter returned to bag the wicket of captain Sana and effectively end Pakistan's challenge in the game.
Meanwhile, Australia continued their unbeaten start to Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with a 98-run win over tournament debutants Netherlands in Southampton on Saturday.
Beth Mooney was back amongst the runs as she struck a 42-ball 74 to lead Australia to a record total of 219/6. They equalled the highest team total in tournament history, set by England against Sri Lanka in the 2026 opener.
However, Mooney retired hurt due to back stiffness and did not return for the Dutch innings.
Put into bat, Australian openers Mooney and Georgia Voll made the most of the Dutch bowling tad too short. They brought up 50 inside five overs, but with Ellyse Perry and Voll falling in quick succession they ended powerplay at 61/2.
Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner (58 off 32) then stitched a partnership of 101 runs in just 55 balls, stamping their authority on the contest. Georgia Wareham provided the acceleration at the end as she struck eight fours for an 18-ball 41 to take Australia over the 200-mark.
Backed by a big total, Australian fast bowlers did not allow Netherlands batters to free their arms. Kim Garth set the Dutch back right away as she sent off the two openers -- Heather Siegers and Phebe Molkenboer -- in powerplay.
Playing a landmark 100th T20I, Babette de Leede posted a defiant unbeaten half-century. She put on a gritty 96-run partnership with Sterre Kalis, but they never mounted a serious threat against the clinical Aussies.
With their third straight win, the Aussies have one foot in the semi-finals.
