Bangladesh women secured their second victory of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 23-run win over Pakistan in Southampton on 20 June, with Shorna Akter’s blazing late cameo and a devastating bowling display from Nahida Akhtar and Sanjida Akhtar Meghla proving the difference between the sides.
Bangladesh, who won the toss and elected to bat, made a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just 13 runs. Dilara Akhtar fell for 7 off 7 balls, Sharmin Akhtar Supta departed without scoring and Juairiya Ferdous could only manage 7 off 11 before being dismissed. The powerplay yielded a meagre 23 runs for three wickets, leaving the innings in serious trouble.
Captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti and Sobhana Mostary steadied the ship with a measured partnership, both finding boundaries to rebuild momentum. Mostary contributed 22 off 19 balls before departing, while Jyoti fought on for 36 off 38 deliveries. The innings was rescued in the closing overs by Shorna Akter, who blasted an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls, striking five fours, to lift Bangladesh to 123 for six from their 20 overs. Fatima Sana claimed two wickets for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s chase began brightly. Gul Firuza and Muneeba Ali put on 41 without loss in the powerplay, but Nahida struck twice in quick succession to remove both openers, Firuza for 23 and Muneeba for 25. Sanjida then dismissed Ayesha Zafar for 11 and Aliya Riaz in the same over, reducing Pakistan to 70 for four and swinging the match decisively in Bangladesh’s favour.
The lower order offered little resistance as Bangladesh’s bowlers took wickets in clusters. Rabeya Khan bowled a wicket maiden in the 15th over to tighten the grip further. With three overs remaining, Pakistan needed 40 runs with just three wickets in hand. Nahida removed Fatima Sana on the first ball of the 18th over to effectively end the contest. Pakistan could add only 8 runs per over in the final stages and were bowled out for 100 in 20 overs, losing by 23 runs.
Nahida Akhtar and Sanjida Akhtar Meghla each took three wickets, with Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni chipping in with one apiece. Shorna Akter was named player of the match.
The victory is historically significant — it is the first time Bangladesh women have won two matches in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
