Pakistan women's cricket team outclass Bangladesh, claim T20 series

Pakistan women's cricket team outclassed Bangladesh to win the third and final T20 match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday by 28 runs, claiming the series 3-0.

Opting to bat, Pakistan rode Javeria Khan's 54-run knock followed by Omaima Sohail's 31 to 117 runs in the allotted 20 overs.

Javeria Khan, who was first to bat, cracked a 48-ball 54, hitting seven fours during her innings. This was her second half-century on the trot after she had scored 52 on Monday.

Bismah Maroof with her Pakistan player of the series trophy at Gaddafi Stadium. Twitter photo

For Bangladesh, Jahanara Alam scalped three wickets and conceded just 12 runs from her four overs while Rumana Ahmed picked up two wickets.

In reply, the visitors could only manage 89 runs, losing eight wickets in 20 overs as Pakistan witnessed some collective effort from their bowlers.

Nigar Sultana was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 30 runs while Fargana Hoque chipped in with 27 runs as their other teammates failed with the bat.

Jahanara Alam with her Bangladesh player of the series trophy at Gaddafi Stadium. Twitter photo

Anam Amin’s left-arm spin put a dent in Bangladesh’s run-chase from the onset as she bowled Sharmin Akhter and Sanjida Islam in the space of three deliveries in the second over of the visitors’ innings.

Bangladesh failed to recover from the early blows as Pakistan tightened their grip over the match. Anam and debutant Saba Nazir finished with two wickets each for 10 and 22 runs, respectively.

Pakistani players celebrate after taking the wicket of a Bangladeshi player during the T20 final match at Gaddafi Stadium. Twitter photo

Pakistan had earlier won the first and second T20I by 14 and 15 runs respectively at the same venue.

Both the sides will now clash in the first ODI of the two-match series, starting on Saturday.

The best score in Bangladesh’s run-chase was 30 from 44 balls, which came from Nigar Sultana. With a 26-ball 27, Fargana Hoque was the other notable runner. Javeria was awarded player of the match.

Pakistani wicketkeeper successfully appeal against  a Bangladeshi player during the final T20 match at Gaddafi Stadium. Twitter photo

For scoring 108 runs in three matches at an average of 54, Bismah Maroof was named Pakistan player of the series, while Jahanara Alam bagged the Bangladesh player of the series award for taking nine wickets in three matches.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan: 117-7, 20 overs (Javeria Khan 54, Omaima Sohail 31; Jahanara Alam 3-12, Rumana Ahmed 2-19)

Bangladesh: 89-8, 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 30, Fargana Hoque 27; Anam Amin 2-10, Saba Nazir 2-22)

Agencies