Tigresses Beat Pakistan in T20 Warm-Up

Pace bowler Jahanara Alam claimed 4-22 as Bangladesh beat Pakistan by five runs in their final warm-up match ahead of ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday.

Batting first at the Allan Border Field after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted a respectable 111-8 with opener Murshida Khatun making the highest 43 runs off 38 balls with the help of six boundaries.

Fargana Haque (21), Ritu Moni (14 not out) and Nigar Sultana (13) were the other among significant run-getters.

Jahanara and Bangladesh spinners then reduced Pakistan to 23-3 inside four overs before bowling out the side for 106 in 19.4 overs.

Khadija Tul Kubra Kibra played a key hand with the ball alongside Jahanara, picking 3-11 in her four overs as Bangladesh got the much-needed boost ahead of the tournament.

Pakistani Opener Javeria Khan threatened to take the game away from Bangladesh’s grip before she was dismissed by Kibra for 41 off 34 balls in the 16th over of the innings.

Bangladesh’s first warm-up match against Thailand was rained off without a ball being bowled

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Though the World Cup gets underway on Friday in Sydney, Bangladesh begins their campaign against India two days later in Perth on February 24.

Bangladesh failed to win a single match in their previous Twenty20 World Cup campaign in West Indies but took a long preparation this time, which included a conditioning camp in Australia’s tourism hub Gold Coast.

Bangladesh women’s team reached Gold Coast on February 3 and played two practice matches against a local club where they won one game while the other match was rained off.