Bangladesh Women produced a dramatic turnaround to beat Pakistan Women by 23 runs in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group 1 clash in Southampton, a result that eliminated Pakistan after their third defeat in as many games. Bangladesh posted 123 for 6 and then used a decisive middle-overs stranglehold from their spinners to restrict Pakistan to 100 for 8 in a chase that had looked comfortable early on.
The win lifted Bangladesh to No. 3 in Group 1, leapfrogging South Africa (who have a game in hand), while Pakistan remained at No. 5 with only Netherlands below them.
Bangladesh recover from 13 for 3 to reach 123
Pakistan’s new-ball pair set the tone early. Captain Fatima Sana struck twice in her first over, first removing Dilara Akter when a top edge went to mid-on, then producing an in-ducker that beat Sharmin Akter’s inside edge and trapped her in front. Bangladesh managed only 23 for 3 in the first six overs, and Sana’s opening burst read 3-1-9-2.
Pakistan also held key chances in the field. Nashra Sandhu, who took the catch for the first wicket, was involved again when she caught Juairiya Ferdous off Tasmia Rubab, leaving Bangladesh 13 for 3. After the drinks interval, Aliya Riaz held a long-on catch to dismiss Ritu Moni, a moment that underlined Pakistan’s improved catching compared to earlier matches in the tournament, even if there were still some ground-fielding lapses.
From that early damage, Bangladesh rebuilt through captain Nigar Sultana, who made 36 off 38 balls, and Sobhana Mostary, who added 22 off 19. Their steady contributions kept the innings together and set up a late surge.
That surge came through Shorna Akter, whose 39 not out off 22 balls proved decisive. When Sultana fell to Sadia Iqbal, Bangladesh were 92 for 6 two balls into the 18th over, but Shorna’s late hitting transformed the total. Bangladesh collected 43 runs from the last four overs, with Shorna striking five boundaries and repeatedly finding ways through an off-side-heavy field by backing away and piercing gaps or lifting over the infield.
Pakistan’s bowlers were led by Fatima Sana, while Sana’s namesake spell support came from the figures noted for Pakistan: Fatima finished with 2 for 18.
Spin squeeze flips chase as Pakistan collapse from 49 without loss
Pakistan’s chase began smoothly enough. Two balls into the eighth over they were 49 for 0, seemingly well placed in pursuit of 124. Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza had negotiated the early overs and laid a platform, seeing off Marufa Akter.
The match turned sharply once Bangladesh’s spinners got into the game. Gull Feroza cut a half-tracker from Nahida Akter straight to point, and in Nahida’s next over Muneeba hit another long hop to deep square leg. Those wickets opened the door for a sustained collapse: from 49 for 0, Pakistan lost 8 for 35 over the next ten overs.
Nahida and Sanjida Akter Meghla drove the decisive phase, taking three wickets apiece. Meghla, the only change in Bangladesh’s XI from their defeat to Australia, cut through the middle order by removing Ayesha Zafar and Aliya Riaz in the 12th over, then dismissing Saira Jabeen for a duck in her next.
With wickets tumbling and the required rate climbing, Pakistan were left looking for inspiration from captain Fatima Sana. But when Sana holed out to long-on at the start of the 18th over, Bangladesh’s celebrations reflected the moment the contest was effectively sealed. Pakistan finished on 100 for 8, falling 23 runs short as Bangladesh completed a comeback win built on late runs and a ruthless middle-overs squeeze.