The Women’s World Cup gets a compelling start in Colombo on Thursday for Bangladesh as they take on Pakistan, a game that pits two close friends against each other in very different colors.

Nigar Sultana Joty, Bangladesh’s captain, and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana know each other well. They first shared a dressing room at the 2023 FairBreak Invitational and have stayed close since, trading tips and plenty of laughs.

But both admit there’s no room for friendship once the first ball is bowled.

“When I get over the line, I don’t know who Fatima Sana is,” Nigar said to ICC with a smile. “She’s my opponent. But after the game, of course, we’re friends again.”

Fatima, just 22 when she was handed the captaincy, says the feeling is mutual. “She’s my good friend. She gives me a lot of confidence in my batting. But on the field, it’s different.”

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The match also carries some leftover drama from the qualifying tournament earlier this year. Bangladesh lost to Pakistan on the final day and thought their hopes were gone, only to sneak through on net run rate after the West Indies stumbled against Thailand.

Nigar, too down to watch the other game, got the news over the phone from none other than Fatima. “I was like, really? And then everyone in our team started running to me, hugging, laughing. It was beautiful,” Nigar remembered.

Both teams know their openers matter if they are to reach the last four. Bangladesh beat Pakistan at the 2022 World Cup, but Pakistan’s young side has grown since.

The match begins at 3 p.m. local time at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium.