Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 29 runs

Bismah Maroof`s unbeaten 65 helped to set a winning start for Pakistan women cricket team as they beat Bangladesh women cricket team by 29 runs in the first Twenty20 International of the two-match series at Southend Club Cricket Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday.

Opening bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan scored 124 for 5 in 20 overs, sparred by a 2nd wicket stand of 87 off 13.3 overs between Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan.

Bismah Maroof who was adjudged player of the match hit unbeaten 65 off 57 balls involving five fours.

Javeria Khan scored 44 off 43 balls with six fours and was stumped by Nigar Sultana off a Nahida Akter bowling.

Nida Dar and Iram Javed were out for 4 runs each while Asmavia Iqbal for a single.

Pakistan faced early jolt as their opener Marina Iqbal was run out dismally off a Nigar Sultana`s bowling    for a single in the first over last ball.

Nahida Akter conceded 17 runs for two wickets in four overs. Jahanara Alam and Fahima Khatun took one wicket each for 10 and 17 runs respectively in 4 and 2 overs.

Chasing their target, Bangladesh scored 95 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

Opener Ayasha Rahman (23 off 27b; 3x4), Fargana Hoque (23 off 36; 2x4) and Rumana Ahmed (22 off 23; 3x4) were the double digit scorers for Bangladesh.

Anam Amin grabbed two wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs while Aliya Riaz, Nida Dar, skipper Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof and Sumaiya Siddiqi took one wicket each for the side.