LIVE: Marufa's double strike rattles Pakistan in CWC25 clash
Having secured their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup spots via the Qualifier tournament earlier this year, the two sub-continent sides face off in Colombo.
Marufa Akter gave Bangladesh a sensational start against Pakistan by striking twice in the opening over at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
She first bowled Omaima Sohail before dismissing Sidra Amin off the last ball, sending both batters back for ducks in successive deliveries.
Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and elected to bat first. The two teams are facing off in what is the first game of the tournament at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
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Both sides had secured the top two spots at this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier in Pakistan.
While the Fatima Sana-led side had finished on top of the six-team tally in the qualifier tournament, Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh qualified as the second-ranked team.
Both teams last met at the tournament back in 2022, when Bangladesh made their debut in the marquee event.
The thrilling contest saw the Cricket World Cup debutants get the better of Pakistan to notch their first-ever win in the competition.
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Bangladesh clash against Pakistan in their CWC25 opener | BANvPAK | Will to Win Preview Show | CWC25
A preview of Bangladesh taking on Pakistan in their CWC25 opener.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Farzana Haque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah.
