Pakistan restrict Bangladesh to 123/6 in Women's T20 WC Group A clash
Synopsis
Pakistan's bowlers, led by skipper Fatima Sana, dismantled Bangladesh's top order inside the Powerplay to reduce them to 23/3 — a hole Bangladesh never escaped. Only Shorna Akter's blistering late 39 off 22 kept the total from being truly embarrassing. With both sides having lost their openers, this is a straight knockout in all but name.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh posted 123/6 in 20 overs against Pakistan in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Hampshire Bowl, Southampton on 20 June .
Fatima Sana took 2-18 , removing Dilara Akter and Sharmin Akhter in a devastating second over.
Bangladesh were reduced to 23/3 at the end of the Powerplay and never fully recovered.
Nigar Sultana top-scored with 36 off 38 before being dismissed by Sadia Iqbal .
Shorna Akter smashed an unbeaten 39 off 22 balls , including 14 runs in the penultimate over, to give Bangladesh a total to defend.
Both teams had lost their opening matches; the winner stays alive in Group A .
Pakistan delivered a disciplined bowling and fielding performance to restrict Bangladesh to 123/6 in a must-win Group A fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, 20 June. Skipper Fatima Sana's sharp 2-18 headlined the effort, leaving Bangladesh well short of a competitive total despite a spirited late cameo from Shorna Akter.
Powerplay Carnage Sets the Tone
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana elected to bat first on what appeared a reasonable surface, but Pakistan struck early and hard. Fatima Sana removed Dilara Akter (5) and Sharmin Akhter (0) in the second over of the innings, and Tasmia Rubab sent back Juairiya Ferdous (7) to leave Bangladesh reeling at 23/3 at the end of the Powerplay — a hole from which they never fully climbed out.
Sultana and Mostary Attempt a Rebuild
Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary offered some resistance with a 35-run partnership, steadying the innings in the middle overs. However, Nashra Sundhu broke the stand when she trapped Mostary leg before wicket. Sadia Iqbal then accounted for the Bangladesh skipper, caught by Saira Jabeen for 36 off 38 balls (5 fours), ending any realistic hope of posting a big total.
Shorna Akter's Late Blast Adds Respectability
With Bangladesh in danger of folding well below 110, Shorna Akter provided a crucial late surge. The experienced batter struck 14 runs in the penultimate over alone, finishing unbeaten on 39 off 22 balls (5 fours) to haul the total to 123/6. Her knock, while not enough to put the match beyond Pakistan's reach, gave Bangladesh's bowlers a fighting chance and a number to defend.
High Stakes for Both Sides
This clash carries enormous weight for both teams. Pakistan and Bangladesh both suffered defeats in their respective tournament openers, meaning a loss here would effectively end either side's hopes of advancing from Group A. With the tournament's knockout structure offering little margin for error, the result of this match could define the group's final shape. Bangladesh will now need a strong bowling display to defend 123 and keep their campaign alive.
Point of View
And Bangladesh's innings followed that script almost exactly. Fatima Sana's ability to take wickets with the new ball — following her three-fer and fifty in the previous match — is emerging as Pakistan's most potent weapon in this tournament. Bangladesh's over-reliance on Nigar Sultana in the middle order remains a structural vulnerability; when she fell for 36, the innings had no second anchor. Shorna Akter's cameo was impressive, but 123 is a total that asks serious questions of Bangladesh's bowling attack rather than Pakistan's batters.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Bangladesh's total against Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Bangladesh scored 123/6 in 20 overs against Pakistan in their Group A match at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on 20 June. The total was built on a late cameo by Shorna Akter (39 not out off 22) after a top-order collapse.
How did Fatima Sana perform in the Pakistan vs Bangladesh Women's T20 WC match?
Fatima Sana took 2-18, dismissing Dilara Akter and Sharmin Akhter in the second over of the innings to trigger Bangladesh's Powerplay collapse. It continued her outstanding run in the tournament, having taken a three-fer and scored a half-century in Pakistan's previous match.
Why is the Pakistan vs Bangladesh Women's T20 World Cup match so important?
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh lost their opening Group A matches, making this effectively a must-win game for both sides. The loser will face near-certain elimination from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Who were the top performers for Bangladesh with the bat?
Shorna Akter was Bangladesh's standout batter, finishing unbeaten on 39 off 22 balls with 5 fours, including 14 runs in the penultimate over. Captain Nigar Sultana contributed 36 off 38 balls before being caught off Sadia Iqbal's bowling.
Is 123 a defendable total at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton?
123 is considered a below-par total on what appeared to be a good batting surface at the Hampshire Bowl. Bangladesh will need a strong bowling and fielding effort to defend it, though Shorna Akter's late blast at least gives them a fighting chance.
