Shorna, spinners help Bangladesh to first T20I series win over Pakistan

For the second game in a row, Bangladesh's spinners put on a show in Chattogram to overpower Pakistan and register a historic women's T20I series win with a game to spare. They shared five of the seven wickets to fall with Nahida Akter - fresh off her record-breaking five-for - and Rabeya Khan picking up two each to restrict Pakistan to 100 in their chase of 121.

After being inserted, Bangladesh were off to a positive start through their openers Murshida Khatun and Shamima Sultana, who added 34 in 4.3 overs before the latter was trapped lbw by Diana Baig. Shamima had hit two fours and a six in her 13-ball 18. Murshida and Sobhana Mostary then continued the attack before the latter was run-out.

That saw Bangladesh slip from 54 for 1 to 71 for 4, the slide including the wicket of captain Nigar Sultana. However, Shorna Akter, all of 16 years old but coming with the experience of having played in the inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup last year, scored 27 off 22 balls with a four and a six to help Bangladesh to get to 120. She rotated strike well and gave her bowlers a target to defend.

In reply, Pakistan - despite losing Natalia Pervaiz in the first over - were steady, thanks largely to former captain Bismah Maroof. While she batted slowly, she kept them in the hunt with Pakistan getting to 40 for 2 in the ninth over. But they collapsed thereon, falling to 94 for 7 on a slowish surface.

It was a phase where Nahida, Rabeya and Fahima Khatun called the shots, and that all added up to Pakistan eventually falling well short of their target.