Pakistan women's team races to five-wicket win over run-shy Bangladesh

Bangladesh women were thrashed by Pakistan in the first ODI at Mirpur on Saturday. Nigar Sultana Joty's side were flying after their first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan, but the visitors brought the hosts back to the ground with a comfortable victory to go 1-0 up in the ODI series. 

Batting first, Bangladesh were bundled out for a petty 81 runs in 31.5 overs. Only three batters reached the double-digit mark, but no one could really get going. 

Legspinner Fahima Khatun was the top scorer with 18 runs to her name with a lone boundary. Ritu Moni bagged 14 while the skipper Joty scored 13 runs for the struggling Tigresses. 

All of Bangladesh's 10 wickets were taken by Pakistani spinners. Sadia Iqbal began the carnage for the visitors. She picked up four wickets for only 13 runs from nine overs, easily her career-best bowling in ODIs. She was supported well by the skipper Nida Dar and Umm-e-Hani, both of whom picked up three wickets each.

Pakistan took only 24.5 overs to reach the target. Nida Dar remained unbeaten on 35 as she took her side home while Aliya Riaz accompanied the skipper with a 16-run innings. Pakistan, however, had a shaky start to the chase. They lost three wickets for 27 within the eighth over. But Nida Dar played sensibly to take the visitors over the line. 

Nida Dar was adjudged the player of the match for his all-round performance with both bat and ball on the day. 

The match aggregate of 166 runs is the lowest involving the two sides in WODIs.

Bangladesh entered the series having defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the T20I series, with all three contests taking place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.