||CF Correspondent ||

Senior seamer Jahanara Alam snared 4-17 while Rumana Ahmed struck her maiden fifty but that was not enough as Bangladesh Women’s conceded a 14-run defeat to Pakistan in the first of three-match T20 International series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan Women’s piled up 126-7 with captain Bismah Maroof leading the side from the front with 29 ball-34. She was ably supported by Umaima Sohail’s 33 runs. Iram Javed was the other notable scorer with 21 runs.

Jahanara Alam scythed down the top-order with her 4-17 to bring a tension to hosts tent which later was evaporated by Bismah and Umaia’s 60-run partnership.

Only Rumana Ahmed could stand tall to deal with the Pakistan bowlers. Rumana struck 50 off just 30, hitting six fours and two sixes. Her heroics came after Bangladesh was reduced to 47-4. But when she was at her ruthless best, the others simply couldn’t step ahead with her, meaning Bangladesh fell well short of their target, being restricted to 112-7 in 20 overs.

The second and third T20 Internationals between the two sides is on October 28 and 30 after which they would play a two-match ODI series.