Pakistan beat Bangladesh to go 1-0 up in ODIs

Another day, another win! Coming off a comfortable T20I series win, Pakistan started the ODI-leg against Bangladesh with a 29-run victory at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday (November 2).

In a low scoring match, Pakistan ensured to keep their noses in front, thanks to Nahida Khan's promising knock of 68 before a three-wicket haul by Sana Mir sealed the deal. Bangladesh fought with both the bat and ball, but that came in spurts.

Pakistan crumbled to a below-par score of 215 all out after electing to bat first. The hosts crawled in the first 15 overs, with Nahida and Sidra Amin struggling to free their arms. Bangladesh, who had kept Pakistan quiet at the start, gave a double dent to the side as Fahima Khatun cleaned up Amin (21) while Nahida Akter bagged the big wicket of Javeria Khan (2), reducing Pakistan to 62 for two.

Nahida then, found the much-needed support from her skipper Bismah Maroof. The duo combined to stitch a solid 69-run partnership. However, experienced pacer Jahanara Alam pulled things back as she sent Maroof (39) back to the pavillion and in the following over Akter dismissed Nahida.

Just when it seemed the tables had turned in Bangladesh's favour, Omaima Sohail started frustrating the visitors with a 53-run stand alongside Aliya Riaz before Bangladesh skipper Rumana Ahmed ran out Sohail for 29.

After losing a set partner, Riaz held fort and took Pakistan past the 200-run mark. However, Alam returned and got rid of Riaz, who was caught at long-on by Sanjida Islam, for a well-made 33-ball 37.

Pakistan folded inside the penultimate over as they lost three wickets in just seven balls. For Bangladesh, Alam picked up three wickets while Panna Ghosh and Akter took two wickets each.

In reply, Bangladesh suffered an early hiccup and lost two crucial wickets within the first four overs. Veteran Sana Mir dismissed Murshida Khatun (4) and Sanjida Islam for a golden duck. Fargana Hoque joined Sharmin Akhter and the duo rebuilt the run-chase.

As both the batters started attacking, Pakistan debutante Sadia Iqbal trapped Akhter (20) plumb in front with a wonderful arm ball. However, skipper Ahmed and Hoque kept ticking the scoreboard steadily. Nashra Sandhu got the breakthrough and dismissed Hoque for 27 - a blow that almost broke the back of the chase. Soon after, Ahmed’s (28) innings came to an end as she was caught in the deep when she tried to slog sweep a wide delivery off Iqbal.

Diana Baig joined the party and got rid of Fahima Khatun (12) and Jahanara Alam (7) in quick succession. Mir returned and bagged the important wicket of Nigar Sultana (58 off 77), which ended Bangladesh’s hope to recover and the side was bundled out for 186.

Brief scores: Pakistan 215 in 48.5 overs (Nahida Khan 68, Bismah Maroof 39; Jahanara Alam 3-44, Panna Ghosh 2-12) beat Bangladesh 186 in 47.4 overs (Nigar Sultana 58, Rumana Ahmed 28; Sana Mir 3-49, Nashra Sandhu 2-28) by 29 runs. PotM: Nahida Khan.