Bangladesh Outshines Pakistan with 7-Wicket Victory in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Rubya Haider stars on debut as Pakistan collapses for 129 in Colombo

Colombo, Sri Lanka (October 2, 2025): Bangladesh Women’s cricket team secured a historic 7-wicket win against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, showcasing a dominant bowling performance and a composed batting display. This marks Bangladesh’s second-ever victory in World Cup history — and coincidentally, both wins have come against Pakistan.

Rubya Haider’s Dream Debut

The spotlight was on Rubya Haider, who made her ODI World Cup debut with a spectacular unbeaten 54 runs, hitting eight crisp boundaries. Guiding her side with maturity beyond her years, Rubya anchored Bangladesh’s chase of 131 runs, finishing at 131-3 in just 31.3 overs. She combined superbly with captain Nigar Sultana (23) for a 62-run partnership and later sealed the match alongside Sobhana Mostary (24*), who struck boundaries with confidence.

This innings will be remembered as a defining moment not only in Rubya’s career but also in Bangladesh Women’s cricket history.

Bangladesh’s Bowling Dominance

Earlier in the day, Pakistan struggled against Bangladesh’s well-coordinated bowling attack. The pitch at Colombo appeared favorable for batting, yet Pakistan’s lineup crumbled under pressure from five different spinners and a fiery opening spell by pacer Marufa Akter.

• Marufa Akter: Struck early, clean-bowling Omaima Sohail and in-form Sidra Amin (golden duck) in her very first over.
• Nahida Akter: Impressive left-arm spin, finishing with figures of 2/19.
• Shorna Akter: Career-best figures of 3/5 in 3.3 overs, including three consecutive maidens and the bizarre dismissal of Nashra Sandhu (hit wicket).

Pakistan never recovered from losing two wickets inside the first over. The batting order collapsed steadily, with Rameen Shamim’s 23 being the top score. The team was eventually bundled out for 129 in 38.3 overs.

Pakistan’s Missed Opportunity

Pakistan entered the contest with momentum, especially after Sidra Amin’s back-to-back centuries against South Africa. However, her early dismissal for a golden duck shifted the momentum heavily in Bangladesh’s favor. Despite Diana Baig’s early breakthrough with the ball and Rameen Shamim’s efforts, Pakistan failed to capitalize on a good batting track.

This defeat not only highlights Pakistan’s inconsistency but also raises concerns about their reliance on a few in-form batters. With all seven of their group-stage matches scheduled in Colombo, Pakistan will need to regroup quickly to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Bangladesh Creates History

For Bangladesh, this win is more than just a group-stage result — it is a statement victory. Having previously beaten Pakistan in the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, Bangladesh proved once again that they are capable of competing with stronger teams on the world stage.

Rubya Haider’s dream debut, combined with the young bowling duo of Marufa Akter and Shorna Akter, reflects Bangladesh’s growing pool of talented cricketers. The victory has reignited hopes of Bangladesh fans and established the team as one of the dark horses of the tournament.

Score Summary

Pakistan: 129 all out in 38.3 overs

Bangladesh: 131/3 in 31.3 overs

Bangladesh won by 7 wickets

Key Takeaways

• Rubya Haider: Match-winning debut innings of 54*.
• Shorna Akter: Sensational 3/5 with the ball, dismantling Pakistan’s tail.
• Marufa Akter: Early breakthroughs that set the tone.
• Pakistan’s struggle: Collapsed despite a batting-friendly surface.

What’s Next?

Bangladesh will look to build on this momentum and secure further victories in the group stages. Pakistan, on the other hand, faces mounting pressure to bounce back strongly in their upcoming fixtures in Colombo. With a semifinal spot at stake, the next few matches will be crucial for both teams.