Fargana, Murshida help Bangladesh square ODI series.

LAHORE -- Responsible batting by Fargana Hoque and opener Murshida Khatun inspired Bangladesh to level the two-match One-day International women cricket series 1-1 as the tourists won the second tie by one wicket here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

It is the first victory for the visitors on the tour after they were whitewashed in the recently concluded three-match T20 International series.

Chasing an easy target of 211 in 50 overs, Bangladesh, after a shaky start, rode on two good partnerships and achieved the target for the loss of nine wickets with just one ball left.

First opener Murshida and Fargana plundered 82 runs off 108 balls to steady the innings which had taken a sluggish start after Sharmin Akhter (27, five fours) fell to pacer Diana Baig, and Nigar Sultana (0) was adjudged leg before wicket off Sana Mir.

But Fargana and Murshida built the innings taking the total to 111, before the latter was caught Pakistan by skipper Bismah Maroof of her own bowling after scoring a 67-ball 44, laced with six boundaries.

Murshida's departure was followed by Rumana Ahmad's fourth-wicket partnership which took the total to 166 in the 39th over.

Rumana went out first caught by Nahida off Nashra Sandhu for 31 off 43 balls before Fargana was dismissed by Aroob Shah after scoring 67 of 97 balls.

Pakistan pulled the match in their favour when three Bangladesh wickets fell in quick successions with the visitors dwindling at 196-8 but a mature cameo partnership by Jahanara (7) and Nahida...