In a display of exceptional defensive bowling and tactical discipline, the Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ Team secured their place in the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. Despite posting a modest total of 110 runs, the Bangladeshi side produced a masterclass on the field, dismantling the Pakistan Women’s ‘A’ Team for a paltry 56 runs in Bangkok. This commanding 54-run victory serves as a testament to the team’s resilience and the individual brilliance of their captain, Fahima Khatun.
A Captain’s Resilience
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to find momentum on a pitch that appeared to offer significant assistance to the bowlers. The innings faltered early, and the team found themselves at 8 wickets down for 110 runs at the conclusion of their allotted 20 overs. In the fast-paced realm of T20 cricket, such a total is often deemed insufficient; however, Fahima Khatun played a pivotal role in ensuring her side had a defendable score.
Fahima remained unbeaten on 40 runs from 32 deliveries, an innings punctuated by five elegant boundaries. While her teammates struggled—with the second-highest score being a modest 15 from Sharmin Sultana—the captain held the innings together, providing the necessary anchor to propel the score into triple digits.
Bowling Masterclass
The true drama unfolded during the chase. Pakistan’s pursuit of 111 runs was derailed almost immediately by the precision of the Bangladeshi bowling attack. The Pakistani top order found themselves suffocated, managing only 21 runs for the loss of two wickets during the initial six-over Powerplay.
The introduction of Fahima Khatun into the bowling attack further exacerbated Pakistan’s woes. In an extraordinary spell of captaincy, she conceded a mere 4 runs in her opening two overs whilst claiming two vital wickets. The pressure resulted in a collapse, leaving Pakistan reeling at 30 for 5. The finishing touches were applied by Sanjida Akter, whose remarkable figures of 3 wickets for just 6 runs ensured there was no way back for the opposition.
Match Summary and Final Outlook
| Team | Score | Top Performer (Batting) | Top Performer (Bowling) |
| Bangladesh ‘A’ | 110/8 (20 overs) | Fahima Khatun (40*) | Sanjida Akter (3/6) |
| Pakistan ‘A’ | 56/10 (16.4 overs) | Shawal Zulfiqar (14) | Hafsa Khalid (2/25) |
Result: Bangladesh Women’s ‘A’ won by 54 runs.
Player of the Match: Fahima Khatun.
With this resounding win, Bangladesh sets the stage for a high-stakes final against India Women’s ‘A’ this coming Sunday. Having defended such a low total with ease, Fahima’s squad will enter the final brimming with confidence, looking to secure the regional crown.