Bangladesh Women — Pakistan Women: 114:145, Asian Games Women's Cricket Competition

Pakistan women outclass Bangladesh in Asian Games opener

Pakistan women defeated Bangladesh 145 to 114 in the opening match of the women's cricket tournament at the Asian Games on Monday. The hosts had been expected to take the points, but the visitors turned it on and ran away with it. By then it was clear the result would not go either way.

Pakistan batted first and posted a total that Bangladesh could only chase in fragments. The hosts started with intent but things came to a head when the middle order stalled. Pakistan's bowlers gave nothing away and kept building pressure throughout the chase.

Bangladesh had looked solid in their 92-91 win over China on 17 September, but by then they were playing against a side that had already shown they could compete. They fell short by 31 runs, and the gap told its own story. The hosts had one mistake and it ended it.

We had backed the hosts at 68 per cent confidence, but the match went elsewhere. Pakistan's recent form — including a 177-178 loss to Sri Lanka — suggested they would not fold under pressure. Bangladesh's narrow defeat to Sri Lanka on 6 September showed they could hang on, but not this time.

Both sides remain at the bottom of the table with no games recorded yet. The result does not change positions, but it shifts the mood. Pakistan now holds a psychological edge in what should be a competitive tournament.