Pakistan got off to a positive start in their Women’s World Cup campaign today after skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh in Colombo. The match is being played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, where conditions looked good for batting early on but are expected to offer some grip for spinners later in the day.
Speaking at the toss, Fatima said the pitch looked “dry on top and likely to get slower,” which convinced her to put runs on the board first. On the other side, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana admitted she would’ve bowled anyway, hoping her bowlers could extract some movement in the first hour.
Pakistan made a couple of bold selections, with Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali opening the innings and the experienced Bismah Maroof anchoring the middle order. Bangladesh, meanwhile, banked on their all-rounders, with Nahida Akter expected to play a crucial role with the ball.
Pakistan XI: Sidra Amin, Muneeba Ali, Bismah Maroof, Sadaf Shamas, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (capt), Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig.
Bangladesh XI: Murshida Khatun, Fargana Haque, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (capt), Ritu Moni, Rumana Ahmed, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Fariha Trisna.
Historically, Pakistan and Bangladesh have been closely matched in women’s ODIs. Out of 15 encounters before today, Pakistan had the edge with 10 wins, while Bangladesh managed five victories. The last time the two sides met, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller — a reminder that this fixture rarely lacks drama.
For Pakistan, this World Cup opener is not just about getting points on the board but also about setting the tone for the tournament. Their batting, often criticized for inconsistency, will be under the spotlight, especially against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack.
Conditions in Colombo could make this a tricky contest. The dry surface is likely to favor spinners as the match progresses, which means Pakistan’s decision to bat could pay off handsomely — but only if their top order lays a solid foundation.
Fans on both sides will be keeping a close eye on senior players like Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof for Pakistan, while Bangladesh will be looking towards Nigar Sultana’s calm presence and Nahida Akter’s spin to tilt the balance.
