Tigresses beat Pakistan to keep semifinal hopes alive

Shorna Akter played a brilliant late cameo before spinners Nahida Akter and Shanjida Akter Meghla claimed three wickets apiece as Bangladesh secured a crucial 23-run victory over Pakistan in their third Group A match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.

The win – Bangladesh's second in three matches – keeps them in contention for a place in the semifinals, lifting them to third place in the six-team Group A standings with four points. 

Shorna, who came at the crease after Bangladesh were five down for 72, smashed an unbeaten 39 off just 22 balls to lift Bangladesh to 123 for six in their allotted 20 overs after they were sent in to bat first.

In reply, Pakistan got off to a promising start through openers Muneeba Ali (25) and Gull Feroza (23), who put on 49 runs in the opening stand. However, Bangladesh's bowlers, especially the two left-arm spinners, triggered a dramatic collapse to turn the match on its head.

Nahida (3-18) removed both openers in quick succession before Meghla (3-21) struck twice in the same over, dismissing Ayesha Zafar (11) and Aliya Riaz for a duck. Pakistan slumped from 49 without loss to 84 for eight, losing eight wickets for just 35 runs as Bangladesh seized complete control.

Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni chipped in with a wicket each as Pakistan were restricted to 100 for eight from their 20 overs.

Earlier, Bangladesh endured a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 13 runs inside five overs. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty steadied the innings with a composed 36 off 38 balls and shared crucial partnerships of 35 runs with Sobhana Mostary (22 off 19) and 24 runs with Ritu Moni (7).

However, it was Shorna's explosive finishing effort that propelled Bangladesh to a competitive total, which the bowlers defended superbly.

For her match-winning knock, Shorna was named player of the match.

The Tigresses had earlier opened their campaign with a six-wicket win over the Netherlands before suffering a nine-wicket defeat to Australia.

Bangladesh will next face India in their penultimate group-stage match in Manchester on June 25.