Nahida's record-breaking five-for takes Bangladesh past Pakistan

Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter returned the best figures in women's T20I cricket for Bangladesh as well as against Pakistan, her 5 for 8 in 3.4 overs stopping the opposition at just 82 and setting up a five-wicket win for Bangladesh in the first game of the series in Chattogram. Nahida, in fact, now has the top two returns in women's T20Is for Bangladesh, this one topping the 5 for 12 she got against Kenya last year.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan lost Sidra Ameen early to Nahida, but Muneeba Ali (16), Bismah Maroof (20) and captain Nida Dar (14) took them to a decent position, and while the going was slow, 56 at the end of the 13th over was a good platform.

But Maroof, the top-scorer for Pakistan, was run-out first ball of the 14th over, and Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for just 26 runs, Nahida picking up three of them, having added Muneeba to her bag earlier.

At home, the modest chase was unlikely to trouble Bangladesh, but they also lost an early wicket in the form of Shamima Sultana, who was run out in the fourth over.

Murshida Khatun (23), Sobhana Mostary (16) and Nigar Sultana (26 not out), however, took control of the chase after that, and small but useful partnerships carried Bangladesh to the target with three balls in hand. There was a bit of a collapse, from 57 for 2 to 63 for 4 and 76 for 5, but with Nigar batting till the end, Bangladesh took the lead in the series.

The next game of the three-match series, which will be followed by three ODIs, will be played on Friday, also in Chattogram.