By Dwayne Ferreira.
Shorna Akter’s late 39 and two three-wicket spin hauls carried Bangladesh to a 23-run Women’s T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan in Southampton.
Shorna Akter’s late counterattack and six wickets shared by Bangladesh’s left-arm spinners secured a 23-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match at Southampton. Bangladesh recovered from 13 for three to post 123 for six before limiting Pakistan to 100 for eight, collecting their second victory and remaining firmly involved in the semi-final race.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to bat, but Pakistan captain Fatima Sana immediately placed the innings under pressure. Fatima removed Dilara Akter and Sharmin Akhter during a superb first over, while another early wicket reduced Bangladesh to 13 for three after 4.3 overs. The batting side managed only 23 runs during a powerplay controlled by Pakistan’s pace attack.
Nigar and Sobhana Mostary began rebuilding through a more conservative fourth-wicket partnership. Mostary made 22 from 19 deliveries, striking three boundaries, while Nigar resisted for 38 balls and reached 36. Their 35-run stand steadied Bangladesh, although the scoring rate remained modest and Pakistan continued to hold the advantage through the middle of the innings.
Pakistan removed both set batters and had Bangladesh at 72 for five after 14.1 overs, leaving the lower order with the responsibility of pushing the total beyond 100. Shorna responded by changing the rhythm of the innings. After beginning carefully, she attacked during the final four overs and repeatedly found gaps through the field.
Shorna struck five fours in an unbeaten 39 from 22 deliveries, including a boundary from the final ball. Bangladesh scored 43 runs from the last four overs and added 31 from only 16 balls through Shorna’s seventh-wicket partnership with Rabeya Khan. That late acceleration took the total to 123 for six, giving Bangladesh a defendable score after their difficult start. Fatima was Pakistan’s leading bowler with two for 18.
Pakistan appeared well placed during the early stages of their reply. Gull Feroza struck four boundaries in a fluent 23 from 18 balls, while Muneeba Ali made 25 from 30. Their opening partnership reached 49 in 7.3 overs and kept the required rate manageable against a Bangladesh attack searching for its first breakthrough.
Nahida Akter altered the contest by dismissing Feroza and then removing Muneeba in her following over. Once both openers had gone, Pakistan struggled to rotate the strike against Nahida, Shanjida Akter Meghla and Rabeya. The required rate climbed steadily as Bangladesh’s spinners attacked the stumps and denied Pakistan the boundary options needed to regain momentum.
Shanjida worked through the middle and lower order to finish with three for 21, while Nahida returned three for 18. Pakistan fell from 49 without loss to 84 for eight, losing eight wickets for 35 runs as the chase unravelled. Ayesha Zafar’s 11 was the only other double-figure contribution before Pakistan closed on 100 for eight.
Shorna was named Player of the Match for an innings that gave Bangladesh the total their bowlers required. The result moved Bangladesh to four points from three matches, alongside India and South Africa, although their negative net run rate leaves further work to complete against those two opponents. Pakistan’s third straight defeat left their qualification prospects hanging by a thread and increased the pressure on their senior batting group.
MATCH SUMMARY
BANGLADESH WOMEN – 123/6, 20 overs
Shorna Akter 39 not out, Nigar Sultana 36, Sobhana Mostary 22
Fatima Sana 2/18, Nashra Sandhu 1/14, Sadia Iqbal 1/21
PAKISTAN WOMEN – 100/8, 20 overs
Muneeba Ali 25, Gull Feroza 23, Ayesha Zafar 11
Nahida Akter 3/18, Shanjida Akter Meghla 3/21, Rabeya Khan 1/17
Result: Bangladesh Women won by 23 runs.
Player of the Match: Shorna Akter.
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