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BANW won by 7 wickets

8:39 PM IST and Local Time: A historic day for Bangladesh Cricket. They have opened their World Cup campaign with a victory. One can't even say that the Tigresses have upset Pakistan, as they have beaten them twice in World Cups now (in as many encounters).

If the Bangladesh Women were brilliant in the first innings, then the batters were extraordinary in the second half.

You may argue that the openers might have had a slow start against Pakistan's new-ball pacers, but they knew how to go in this chase. Meanwhile, they lost Fargana Hoque early in the chase, and Rubya Haider & Sharmin Akhter were off-putting with their approach. 

However, after getting two down on 35, the debutant Haider partnered with her skipper, Nigar Sultana, in what was a historic stand - the third highest for Bangladesh in World Cup history.

Haider stitched a fantastic knock on debut, becoming the third Bangladesh batter to score a fifty on ODI debut (and the first-ever to do so in the World Cup). She played a fine hand for her unbeaten 54 and carried her bat. Alongside her, Nigar Sultana (23)and Sobhana Mostary (24* off 19) were equally brilliant. 

Earlier in the day, Maruf Akter broke the Pakistan top-order's back in the first over of the game, sending back Omaima Sohail and Sidra Ameen on golden ducks. Rameen Shamim (23) and Muneeba Ali tried to revive the innings and had a 42-run stand, but the Bangladesh tweakers turned the game on its head. 

Nahida Akter was the pick of the bowlers with two scalps, while Nishita Akhter, Fahima Khatun and Rubeya snapped a wicket apiece. Meanwhile, Shorna Akter returned with 3 for 5. 

With this win, Bangladesh have taken the second berth on the points table (for now), Pakistan have been handed the second-worst net run rate in the tournament.

Stay tuned for the post-game presentation...

Highest individual scores for Bangladesh in Women's World Cup:

71 - Fargana Hoque vs Pakistan Women, Hamilton, 2022

54* - Rubya Haider vs Pakistan Women, Colombo, 2025, Tonight*

52 - Fargana Hoque vs New Zealand Women, Dunedin, 2022

Highest partnerships for Bangladesh in Women's World Cup:

96: Fargana Hoque and Nigar Sultana vs Pakistan Women, Hamilton, 2022

69: Shamima Sultana and Sharmin Akhter vs South African Women, Dunedin, 2022

62: Rubeya Haider and Nigar Sultana vs Pakistan Women, Colombo, 2025, Tonight*

Marufa Akter (POTM): "Everyone supported me. Sobhana Mostary, whenever I bowled, she tells me that you are a good bowler and you can do it for the team. The team analyst also told me two months back that I can get the player of the match and it has happened. 

(On getting swing with the new ball) First four balls, I look to assess the conditions. I was getting good swing and I was maintaining good line and length. Both wickets, were good (chuckles).

Yes, first, I cannot understand where the ball went but then I figured and went for it the next time. I always feel that I am the best fielder in the team."

Fatima Sana (Pakistan Captain): "I think in the first over of the match, we gave a couple of wickets and that was the turning point. In the next game, we will try to make a comeback in the World Cup.

I think we just collapsed during our batting. Some players are playing their first World Cup and they are definitely under a bit more pressure. However, the team atmosphere is very good and we as a unit are gelling very well.

I think it was a better pitch for the pacers as it was seaming a bit but it was good enough for batting as well. We were unable to execute our plans in the first innings."

Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh Women Captain): "Yeah, I am happy. See, a good toss to lose. We wanted to bat first as well. I just told my girls that we need quick wickets in the powerplay and how Marufa bowled in the powerplay, she stole the show. 

I think, she (Marufa Akter) is very young and mature cricketer. She knows her role well. How she delivered today in the middle is quite incredible. 

See, after the first innings, we talked about playing our natural game. I think Jhelik (Rubya Haider) batted well on her debut and other batters around her batted well. 

I think, sometimes you feel pressure when you lose early wickets. We wanted to build partnerships. This is the kind of culture we wanted to create in our team. We wanted to start well and carry this momentum into the tournement."

Bangladesh have a lot of reasons to celebrate. For starters, they are just below Australia on the points table. Won't that swell their muscles before the next clash against England? Pakistan, meanwhile, will be at loggerheads with arch-rivals India, who have never beaten them in ODIs. More stress for Women in Green...

Let's not go that far! Tomorrow, South Africa and England will be playing their first game of this edition. See you there. 

Until then, this is Arjun Bhalla signing off on behalf of my colleagues, Ajay Pal Singh, Mohammad Anab, and our scorer, Bishal Mandal.