The Bangladesh Women’s cricket team have defeated Pakistan by nine runs to clinch their first win in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

Bangladesh pulled off its first win at a Women’s Cricket World Cup with the help of a batting collapse by Pakistan, which lost five wickets for five runs to fall nine runs short in a thrilling run chase on Monday.

Bangladesh scored 234 runs in 50 overs in the batting friendly wicket in Hamilton, their highest ODI score.

Despite a century from opener Sidra Ameen, Pakistan were restricted to 225 at the end of 50 overs.

Pakistan made a surprising decision to bowl on winning the toss but followed the overwhelming trend of the tournament in which most teams have chosen to chase.

A 96-run partnership for the third wicket between Fargana Hoque and Nigar Sultana set up Bangladesh’s innings. Hoque made 71 from 115 balls in a cautious innings of steady accumulation. Sultana made 46 from 64. Sharmin Akhter made 44 from 55.

Bangladesh needed a stronger finish. It was 175-3 in the 40th over but added only 59 runs in the last 10, partly because of tight bowling by Nashra Sandhu, who took 3-41.

Pakistan’s reply was also carefully-paced and it was 98-1 at the midpoint of its innings. Ameen held the innings together and enjoyed a 91-run opening partnership with Nahida Khan (43).

Captain Bismah Maroof joined her and made 31 from 48 balls, but after her dismissal the Pakistan innings began to unravel because of poor shot selection against accurate spin bowling.

“It’s a hard loss to digest,” Maroof said. “Sidra (Ameen) will be disappointed. She was playing really well and will be disappointed she didn’t finish the game.

“We were in the game, we should have chased it down but the poor shot selection cost us.”

-Bismah Maroof, Captain, Pakistan

Leg-spinner Fahima Khatun, playing her first match at the tournament, sparked the Pakistan collapse with three wickets.

Fahima Khatun won the player of the match award for taking three crucial Pakistani wickets, which left them reeling.

“I wasn’t nervous because I’m always ready to play for my team,” she said. “I just bowled in the right areas, according to my plan and knew success would come.

“It was a very sporty wicket and if bowlers bowled in the right area then they would be successful.”

-Fahima Khatun, Player of the Match

The tournament marks Bangladesh Women’ first World Cup appearance. The team has played three matches so far, registering losses against South Africa and New Zealand.

But Bangladesh had high hopes coming into the match on the back of two consecutive victories against Pakistan in ODIs.

When the last ball was bowled, the Bangladesh players joyously celebrated their historic first win.

“I can’t describe this in words because this is our first-ever win in a World Cup and this is history we’ve made today,” Bangladesh captain Sultana said.

“Now we’re looking to carry this win through the tournament.”

-Nigar Sultana, Captain, Bangladesh

Following the win, Bangladesh is positioned at sixth on the table, with 2 points on the board. Australia is currently leading the points table with 6 points.

Pakistan has slipped to last place in the eight-team group stage with no wins from four matches.

Bangladesh will face West Indies in their next match on Mar 18.

The World Cup final will be staged in Christchurch on Apr 3.