New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The Pakistani women's cricket team boosted its World Twenty20 semi-final hopes as it defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Thursday.
Sidra Ameen (53 not out) and Bismah Maroof (43 not out) shared a 99-run stand for the second wicket as Pakistan made a mockery of the 113/9 posted by Bangladesh.
Pakistan did it with 3.3 overs to spare that will surely be a big boost to their net run rate as they now sit on third in the Group B table.
England are through to the semi-finals with six points from three matches, while Pakistan and West Indies have four points from equal number of games. India are fourth with two points, while Bangladesh are out with no points.
Bangladesh, coming into the match with a hat-trick of losses, did their best to notch up 113/9, thanks to No.4 Fargana Hoque's 37-ball 36. Apart from her, Sharmin Akhter contribued 19 runs.
For Pakistan, opening bowlers, right-arm medium pacer Asmavia Iqbal and left-arm spinner Anam Amin picked up two wickets, while captain and off-spinner Sana Mir took a wicket.
In reply, Bangladesh off-spinner Salma Khatun removed opener Nahida Khan (10) but Sidra and Bismah didn't allow any other wicket to fall.
Second opener Sidra, playing her 12th T20I, scored her maiden fifty. She remained unbeaten scoring 53 runs in 48 deliveries.
Bismah scored 43 runs in 43 deliveries as she played a supporting role to perfection with Sidra.
