Tuesday 22 / July / 2025
Dhaka: Bangladesh completed their first T20I series win against Pakistan, after prevailing in an eight-run win in the second game on Tuesday. The packed Shere Bangla National Stadium got a thrilling finish with the hosts staving off a late Faheem Ashraf onslaught.
Pakistan's top six couldn't reach double digits in this game, with five having missed out in similar fashion in the previous outing too. This time it was their bottom-half that gave them some hope. Ashraf top scored with his maiden T20I half-century, having added 41 runs for the ninth wicket with Abbas Afridi.
Bangladesh however kept their cool, particularly their pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan putting pressure on the visitors. Bangladesh's start with the ball put them well in front, which also ultimately helped them get the win in the end.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. Skipper Salman Agha’s decision was proven correct as Faheem Ashraf, in the second over, removed Mohammad Naim (3) before Salman Mirza, in a span of three balls, got skipper Litton Das (8) caught out and Towhid Hridoy (0) run out to put Bangladesh under pressure early. Ahmed Daniyal then got the wicket of Parvez Emon (13) as Bangladesh lost four wickets inside the 10-over mark for just 53.
Mahedi Hasan (33) tried to get Bangladesh back on track and added crucial runs for the fifth wicket with Jaker Ali before losing his wicket to Mohammad Nawaz. Shamim Hossain (1) was the next to depart after Ahmed Daniyal cleaned up his stumps, before Salman Mirza in the next over dismissed Tanzim Sakib (7) as Bangladesh lost their seventh wicket. Abbas Afridi, six balls later, cleaned up Rishad Hossain (8) as Bangladesh were pushed towards being bowled out.
Shoriful Islam (1) was then run out while trying to get the in-form Jaker Ali back on strike in the final over. Jaker went on to score a brilliant 55 to take Bangladesh’s total to 133 before being dismissed as the 10th wicket on the final ball of the innings.
In reply, Pakistan lost their first wicket in the very first over as Saim Ayub (1) was run out on the last ball of the over. Mohammad Haris (0) was the next to depart in the very next over as Shoriful Islam got him trapped in front of the wicket. He then got Fakhar Zaman (8) caught behind as Pakistan were pushed on the back foot early in the chase.
Tanzim then struck to remove Hasan Nawaz (0) and Mohammad Nawaz (0) on back-to-back deliveries to reduce Pakistan to 15 for 5. Skipper Salman Agha (9) stayed for 23 balls and tried to stabilise the innings but eventually fell victim to the run-rate pressure and lost his wicket to Mahedi Hasan while trying to clear the deep mid-wicket area.
Khushdil Shah (13) then fell to Mehedi Hasan as Pakistan were reduced to 47 for 7. Abbas Afridi (19) played some good shots and added 41 runs for the eighth wicket with Faheem before losing his wicket to Shoriful Islam to give Bangladesh passage back into the match.
Faheem Ashraf (51) then completed his half-century to get Pakistan on the verge of a win but was clean bowled by Rishad Hossain on the final ball of the 19th over. Pakistan needed 13 runs in the final over. Ahmed Daniyal (17) started the over with a boundary but lost his wicket on the second ball as Pakistan were bundled out for 125, eight runs short of the target.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 133 (Jaker 55, Mahedi 33, Mirza 2-17) beat Pakistan 125 (Ashraf 51, Abbas 19, Shoriful 3-17) by eight runs
