“I cannot describe this in words because it’s our first ever win in a World Cup and this is history that we’ve made today here,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty expressed her delight during the presentation ceremony after the Tigresses sealed their first ever victory in the Women’s ODI World Cup by defeating Pakistan by nine runs at the Seddon Park in New Zealand today.
Pakistan looked very solid in the beginning and looked favourites to win while chasing down the Tigresses’ total of 234 for seven, their highest one-day total. However, spinners Fahima Khatun and Rumana Ahmed wreaked havoc in the middle as Pakistan, from 183 for two in 41.5 overs, lost five wickets in the span of five runs and 13 balls and were eventually restricted to 225 for nine.
Bangladesh skipper went on to compliment her bowlers for their brilliance.
“I have seen two matches over here, where the spinners dominate here, I thought if she [Fahima] could deliver her best, I could use her very well,” Bangladesh skipper said while adding that this historic win gave the boost her side needed in the mega event.
“We are looking forward to carry this momentum throughout the tournament.
“Winning gives us the confidence and this is the momentum we always wanted, we have a good side and already improving, we know that we are a very capable team,” Joty concluded.
Despite not opening with the bat today, Fahima Khatun went on to demonstrate a spirited performance with the ball, bagging three important wickets of Pakistan which brought the momentum back in favour of Bangladesh. Fahima was adjudged the Player of the Match.
“First I would like to thank the almighty. I’m always ready to play for my team and I was not nervous. I just bowled in the right areas and the success came. It was a very sporting wicket. I’m really excited and happy that I could perform for my team,” Fahima stated.
On the other hand, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof was disappointed and blamed the middle-order for costing the match for her side.
“It is very hard to digest, we were in the game, bad shots from the middle order cost us the game. Sidra was playing well, she will be disappointed she could not finish the game. The way we batted we were in the game, we should have chased it down. Two close games we did not win,” Bismah said.
It was Pakistan’s fourth straight loss at the tournament in New Zealand and gives them virtually no chance of making the playoffs. However, the Pakistan skipper is keen to move on from the defeat and make a comeback in the games ahead.
“We have to take some positives, move forward and try to come back harder in the next game,” Pakistan skipper concluded.
