Pakistan opts to bat first against Bangladesh at Women's Cricket World Cup

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Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana, left, chats with Bangladesh's captain Nigar Sultana Joty before the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

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5:23 AM on Thursday, October 2

The Associated Press

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against Bangladesh in the Women’s Cricket World Cup on Thursday.

Both teams progressed to the World Cup out of the qualifying round in Lahore this year. Bangladesh edged past West Indies on net run-rate.

Bangladesh hasn’t played any ODIs since the qualifying round in April. Skipper Nigar Sultana also wanted to bat first.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana will be playing her 50th ODI.

Pakistan will play all seven of its group games in Colombo. A semifinal and the final will also take place in the Sri Lanka capital if Pakistan make it that far.

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Lineups:

Bangladesh: Farqana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (captain), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter

Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (captain), Sidra Nawaz, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket