Women's World T20: Sidra Ameen, Bismah Maroof help Pakistan crush Bangladesh by nine wickets

New Delhi: Pakistan produced a commanding performance to beat Bangladesh by nine wickets and not only register their second consecutive win in the tournament but also keep their semi-final hopes alive in the ICC Women’s World T20 at the Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. After restricting Bangladesh to 113 for nine, Pakistan chased down the target with consummate ease. By virtue of this win, Pakistan have moved up the points table with two wins from three games and enhanced their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. [caption id=“attachment_2695020” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof (right) celebrate after hitting the winning runs for Pakistan Women. PTI[/caption] They will face England in their last Group B fixture on 27 March at Chennai. Bangladesh’s campaign came to a disappointing end as they failed to win a single game in the tournament. Pakistan Women, however, did not have the best of starts as they lost opener Nahida Khan (10) early. But therafter, it was cakewalk for Pakistan Women as Sidra Ameen (53 off 48, 4x4s) and Bismah Mahroof (43 off 42, 5x4s) put on unbeaten 99 runs off just 16.3 overs to ensure the comfortable victory. Salma Khatun (1/15) picked up the only Pakistan wicket to fall on the day. Earlier electing to bat, Bangladesh Women were stifled by some good bowling and fielding from Pakistan Women as they could only muster 113 for nine. Middle-order batter Fargana Hoque top-scored for Bangladesh with 36 off 37 balls during which she struck two boundaries. Besides Fargana, opener Sharmin Akhter (19), Lata Mondal (12), skipper Jahanara Alam (11) and Salma Khatin all got starts before giving away their wickets. Opening the bowling, left-arm spinner Aman Amin (2/12) once again impressed for Pakistan, while fast bowler Asmavia Iqbal (2/30) also chipped in with two wickets. PTI