Every now and then, cricket gives us a moment that is just plain weird, something you have to see to believe. That's exactly what happened during the Women's World Cup 2025 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. It was a day filled with high stakes and intense action, but one particular dismissal—a bizarre hit-wicket—stole the headlines and became a moment that will be replayed for years to come. It was a crucial part of a match that saw Bangladesh completely outclass Pakistan, sealing a massive victory that shook things up.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Pakistan batter Nashra Sandhu was dismissed in a highly unusual hit-wicket manner.
- ✓ Bangladesh secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Women's World Cup 2025.
- ✓ Bowler Marufa Akter delivered a game-changing opening spell, dismissing two batters for ducks in the first over.
- ✓ Rubya Haider anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century, scoring 54 runs.
- ✓ Pakistan's batting lineup collapsed, getting restricted to a mere 129 runs in 38.3 overs.
The Dismissal That Left Everyone Speechless
Let's set the scene. It's the 35th over of Pakistan's innings, and things are already looking a bit shaky. The bowler, Shorna Akter, sends down a full-length delivery. The batter, Nashra Sandhu, initially shapes up to play a shot but decides to pull out at the very last second. You see this all the time in cricket, a simple leave. But what happened next was anything but simple.
In the motion of withdrawing her bat, the follow-through of her own action brought the willow back and right onto the stumps. The bails flew off, and just like that, Sandhu was out hit-wicket. It was a moment of pure, unintentional chaos that left players and spectators stunned. This wasn't just any dismissal; it made her only the third Pakistani cricketer in history to be out hit-wicket in a World Cup match, joining the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq and Imam-ul-Haq, and the very first woman to do so.
A Tough Day at the Office for Pakistan
While Sandhu's dismissal was the strangest moment, it was really just one part of a much larger story of Pakistan's batting struggles. The innings never really got going, and a huge reason for that was the phenomenal opening spell from Bangladesh's bowlers. From the get-go, they were on the attack, putting Pakistan on the back foot and never letting them recover.
The constant loss of wickets meant no significant partnerships could be built. Every time it looked like Pakistan might find some rhythm, a wicket would fall, resetting any momentum they had hoped to build. The scoreboard pressure mounted with each over, and the batters just couldn't find a way to break free from the stranglehold imposed by the disciplined and aggressive Bangladeshi attack.
Marufa Akter's Opening Spell of Dreams
If you're looking for the turning point of the match, you have to go right back to the very first over. This is where Marufa Akter truly announced herself. In her 27th WODI, she came in with the new ball and produced a spell that completely dismantled Pakistan's top order before they even had a chance to settle in. It was a masterclass in new-ball bowling.
Her first victim was Omaima Sohail, who was bowled by a beautiful full-length inswinging delivery. Before the shock of that first wicket could even sink in, Akter struck again on the very next ball. This time, she sent Sidra Amin packing for a duck, with the batter completely beaten by the significant inswing. Just like that, Pakistan were reeling at a disastrous 2 runs for 2 wickets, a position from which they would never recover.
Keeping the Pressure Cooker On
It wasn't just a one-woman show, though. After Marufa Akter's explosive start, the other bowlers kept the momentum going. Nahida Akter stepped up to ensure the pressure never eased, picking up the crucial wickets of Muneeba Ali and Rameen Shamim shortly after the powerplay. Muneeba had shown a brief glimmer of resistance with a couple of boundaries, but her dismissal left Pakistan in deeper trouble at 47 for 4 in the 14th over.
The tactical bowling changes from the Bangladesh captain were spot on, preventing any Pakistani batter from settling in and building an innings. By the end of the first ten overs, Pakistan had managed a paltry 41 for 2, and the writing was already on the wall. They limped their way to a final score of just 129, a testament to Bangladesh's complete dominance with the ball.
The Calm and Composed Chase
With a small target of 130 to chase, the key for Bangladesh was to avoid any early panic. They did lose a few early wickets, which can sometimes create nerves in a run chase, no matter how small. However, the experience and composure of their batting lineup shone through, led by the brilliant Rubya Haider.
Haider played an incredibly mature innings. Initially, she was cautious, taking her time to get settled and ensuring there wasn't a collapse. Bangladesh's start was slow, managing only 23 runs for the loss of one wicket in the first ten overs. But once Haider got her eye in, she began to accelerate her scoring rate beautifully, finding the boundary with ease, particularly in the 19th over against none other than Nashra Sandhu.
Her unbeaten 54 runs from 77 balls, which included eight boundaries, was the backbone of the chase. She was ably supported by her captain, Nigar Sultana, who contributed a steady 23 runs. The pair put on a vital 62-run partnership that completely took the game away from Pakistan and guided their team towards an emphatic victory. In the end, Bangladesh cruised to the target with a massive 113 balls to spare, underlining just how one-sided the contest had become.
Conclusion
What a day of cricket! While the highlight reel will undoubtedly feature Nashra Sandhu's unbelievably bizarre hit-wicket dismissal on repeat, the real story was the complete and utter dominance of Bangladesh. From Marufa Akter's fiery opening spell that left Pakistan in tatters to Rubya Haider's composed, match-winning half-century, it was a flawless team performance. This commanding seven-wicket win wasn't just two points on the board; it was a powerful statement to the rest of the teams in the Women's World Cup 2025.
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