During their Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match in Southampton, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan with a stunning comeback victory. With two group-stage games left, Pakistan was eliminated from the competition after suffering its third consecutive loss.
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| Bangladesh defeated Pakistan |
Pakistan needed just 124 to win, but Bangladesh's spinners turned the game into a fight. What appeared to be an inevitable loss was transformed into a stunning 23-run victory by their middle-overs domination.
Pakistan lost 8 for 35 in the next ten overs after being 49 for 0 two balls into the eighth over. During that phase, Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter Meghla, whose addition was the only alteration in Bangladesh's lineup from their loss to Australia, both claimed three wickets.
With consistent contributions from captain Nigar Sultana (36 off 38 balls) and Sobhana Mostary (22 off 19), as well as a brilliant 22-ball 39 not out from Shorna Akter, Bangladesh made a similar comeback with the bat earlier in the game. Bangladesh was faltering at 13 for 3 in the fifth over following a fantastic opening burst from Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and Tasmia Rubab.
Even though South Africa still has a game in hand, Bangladesh's final score of 123 enabled them to move up to No. 3 in Group 1. The Netherlands, the newcomers to the T20 World Cup, were the only team below Pakistan, who remained at number five.
Fatima delivers early blows
Sultana wanted Bangladesh's top order to take advantage of Southampton's batting-friendly conditions, but Sana, her adversary, made sure that didn't happen with a double-strike in her opening over. Dilara Akter top-edged one to mid-on while attempting a wild hack across the line, but Sana caught him off the second ball of the second over.
Sana produced a gem after three balls. From a considerable distance, she managed to get the ball to jag back into Sharmin Akter's, beat her inside edge, and thump it against the pads directly in front of the stumps. After her first ten balls, Bangladesh was unable to score. Bangladesh's innings was severely damaged by her opening burst (3-1-9-2), as they only achieved 23 for 3 in the first six overs.
Finally, Pakistan takes the catches
Although Pakistan got an early opening thanks to the first Bangladesh wicket, they must have also been relieved that a chance was safely kept onto rather than being shelled, as has been the case with them for the majority of this tournament. After dismissing Dilara with a catch, Nashra Sandhu was back in action when she caught Juairiya Ferdous off Rubab, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 13 for 3.
But shortly after the drinks break, Aliya Riaz—who has been under fire for her poor fielding—took Ritu Moni's catch at long-on, which must have given Pakistan's fielding coach the most relief. Pakistan appeared to be a lot better fielding team overall from their losses to South Africa and India, despite some ground fielding lapses as a few regulation stops burst through the hands of the fielders.
Although Pakistan got an early opening thanks to the first Bangladesh wicket, they must have also been relieved that a chance was safely kept onto rather than being shelled, as has been the case with them for the majority of this tournament. After dismissing Dilara with a catch, Nashra Sandhu was back in action when she caught Juairiya Ferdous off Rubab, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 13 for 3.
But shortly after the drinks break, Aliya Riaz—who has been under fire for her poor fielding—took Ritu Moni's catch at long-on, which must have given Pakistan's fielding coach the most relief. Pakistan appeared to be a lot better fielding team overall from their losses to South Africa and India, despite some ground fielding lapses as a few regulation stops burst through the hands of the fielders.
The final bombardment of Shorna
Two balls into the eighteenth over, Bangladesh were 92 for 6 after Sultana was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal for a weak shot. However, Shorna's spectacular late strokes ensured that the Bangladeshi bowlers had a competitive total to deal with. Bangladesh scored 43 runs off the final four overs, with Shorna leading the innings with five boundaries. She frequently retreated to hit the ball over the fielders or scythe it through the gaps when the offside was packed.
Pakistan wastes its advantage
At 49 for 0 in the eighth over, Pakistan was playing well when Gull Feroza chopped Nahida's half-tracker into the point's hands. Muneeba smacked another big hop to deep square leg in Nahida's eleventh over of the chase. By dismissing Marufa Akter, who had taken two first-over wickets against Pakistan in the 2025 ODI World Cup match in Colombo, the two had deftly prepared the groundwork.
However, none of Pakistan's batters accepted responsibility once the openers were removed. From over eight to sixteen, they lost six wickets. With the wickets of Ayesha Zafar and Aliya Riaz in the twelfth over, Meghla swept through Pakistan's middle order. In her subsequent order, she dismissed Saira Jabeen for nothing.
Pakistan seems to have relied entirely on their captain to produce yet another valiant effort. Bangladesh erupted in celebration when Sana holed out to long-on at the beginning of the eighteenth over.
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