Bangladesh beat Pakistan by nine runs to script a historic first-ever win in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Hamilton on Monday.
Put in to bat first, Bangladesh made 234 for seven, thanks mainly to Fargana Hoque’s patient 71.
Fahima Khatun then took three late wickets to help restrict Pakistan to 225 for nine, despite Sidra Amin’s 104.
Pakistan remain without an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory in 13 years, while Bangladesh, playing their first women's World Cup, celebrated a major milestone in their development after an impressive all-round display.
It was advantage Pakistan as they won the toss and elected to field in Hamilton.
Shamima Sultana was the first batter to fall in the ninth over as she hit Nida Dar straight to midwicket for 17, bringing Fargana to the crease.
The Tigresses finished the powerplay on 51 for one before Sharmin Akhter gloved an Omaima Sohail delivery back onto her own stumps for 44.
That left Bangladesh on 79 for two at the beginning of the 20th over, with Fargana on just eight off 32 deliveries.
Bangladesh worked their way into a promising position as Fargana brought up her ninth ODI half-century off 89 balls.
Bangladesh eventually ended their innings at 234/7, their highest-ever women’s ODI score.
Pakistan made a promising start in reply, with Sidra and Nahida Khan at the top of the order. They reached 46 for no loss at the end of the powerplay and then brought up the 50 partnership in the 13th.
The team reached the final 10 overs requiring 67 with eight wickets in hand and when they scored 11 off the 41st over, it looked like the game would go down to the wire.
But Pakistan lost five quick wickets with only Sidra Amin, who brought up her maiden ODI century, fighting a lone battle.
Pakistan required 16 runs to win off the last over and eventually fell nine short at 225 for nine.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh: 234/7 in 50 overs (Fargana Hoque 71, Nigar Sultana 46, Sharmin Akhter 44; Nashra Sundhu 3/41)
Pakistan: 225/9 in 50 overs (Sidra Ameen 104, Nahida Khan 43; Fahima Khatun 3/38, Rumana Ahmed 2/29)
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