All-round Nida Dar makes light work of Bangladesh

Pakistan captain Nida Dar starred with both bat and ball, first taking three wickets and then scoring an unbeaten 35, as her team eased to a five-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Mirpur.

Bangladesh, opting to bat, folded for 81 in 31.5 overs, as they failed to put together a single meaningful stand. Only three batters managed double-digit scores, as Sadia Iqbal (4 for 13), Umm-e-Hani (3 for 20) and Dar (3 for 10) struck at regular intervals to prevent Bangladesh from building any momentum. Fahima Khatun, coming in at No.6, was the team's top-scorer with 18, but it did little to help Bangladesh's cause as Pakistan kept applying the pressure.

The visitors, who had lost the three-match T20I series 2-1 last week, had a brief stutter when they lost three wickets for just nine runs, but Bangladesh's low total meant Pakistan were never really in any danger of losing track of the chase. Dar, batting at No.4, stroked three fours during her innings, eventually taking the team home with more than 25 overs to spare. For Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Nahida Akter was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 30.

The two teams will meet again on November 7, before rounding off the series on November 10. All the matches will be held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.