Sabina Khatun picked up where she left off six years since her last game against the Maldives, striking a brace to give Bangladesh a winning start to the SAFF Women's Championship as the women in red and green notched an emphatic 3-0 win at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu yesterday.

Sabina had also hit a brace against the Maldives in the fourth edition of the tournament in 2016, when Bangladesh blitzed them 6-0 in the semifinal.

The 28-year-old forward was squarely in focus, especially after her one-time club teammate, Maldivian captain-cum-goalkeeper Aminath Leeza, vowed to do her best to stop Sabina. However, Leeza was largely to blame for both of Sabina's goals.

Bangladesh came close to taking the lead thrice in the first 10 minutes but failed to cash in before Sabina finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute with a long-range shot.

Bangladesh had struggled to break through a crowded defence before Sabina suddenly let loose from 35 yards, stunning Leeza, who could only watch as the ball kissed the near post and dropped in.

Two minutes later, defender Masura Parvin doubled the lead with a low left-footed shot.

Leeza was also not culpable for the third goal, managing to only divert a powerful shot from Maria Manda straight into Sabina's path with the goal gaping in the 40th minute.

Five-time champions India defeated Pakistan 3-0 in the day's earlier match, with the latter performing admirably coming into their first international match in eight years. Bangladesh will play their second game against Pakistan on September 10.