Pakistan women beat Bangladesh in historic first at Gaddafi Stadium

In the first of a three-match series, captain Bismah Maroof led her side to a landmark victory, making 34 herself, with Umaima Sohail adding 33 at almost a run-a-ball for the hosts

Pakistan women beat Bangladesh women by 14 runs to make history in their first ever game at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The ground is viewed by many as the home of Pakistani cricket, with the national governing body basing itself at the stadium.

In the first of a three-match series, captain Bismah Maroof led her side to a landmark victory, making 34 herself, with Umaima Sohail adding 33 at almost a run-a-ball for the hosts.

Iram Javed added some late impetus, striking two sixes and a four as Pakistan clambered to a final total of 127 – a performance made more impressive given the absence of Nida Dar, who is playing in the Women’s Big Bash for Sydney Thunder – the first Pakistani woman to do so.

Jahanara Alam’s four wickets for Bangladesh had prevented Pakistan from ever truly breaking free of their opponents after winning the toss and electing to bat on this historic occasion.

In reply, Bangladesh struggled from the very start; both openers fell early on, before Rumana Ahmed’s half-century gave her team a foothold in proceedings.

However, wickets continued to fall around her, with no other batter passing 17 for the visitors.

Anam Amin took two wickets, while Diana Baig, Maroof, Aliya Riaz, Sadia Iqbal and Kainat Imtiaz all added a scalp each as Pakistan ultimately eased to a comfortable win on a unique day for Pakistani cricket.