MIRPUR: Bangladesh scripted history on Tuesday as they clinched their maiden T20I series win against Pakistan with a thrilling 8-run victory in the second match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Chasing a modest target of 134 on a tricky pitch, Pakistan collapsed to 125 all out in 19.2 overs, despite a valiant counterattack from Faheem Ashraf.
The Green Shirts suffered a disastrous start, losing five wickets within the first five overs. Saim Ayub was run out for just one, followed by a golden duck for Mohammad Haris. Fakhar Zaman managed only eight, while Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz were both dismissed without scoring, leaving Pakistan reeling at 15/5 in 4.4 overs.
With the top order dismantled, Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah tried to slow the collapse but only added 15 runs from 28 balls, further increasing the pressure. Salman departed for 9 (23), while Khushdil struggled for his 13 off 18.
At 47/7 in the 12th over, Bangladesh seemed certain to win. But Faheem Ashraf brought late drama with a fighting 51 off 32 balls, hitting four fours and four sixes. He stitched a 41-run stand with Abbas Afridi (17) and followed it up with a quick 33-run partnership alongside debutant Ahmed Daniyal.
With 28 runs needed from the last 12 balls, the pair targeted Rishad Hossain’s 19th over for 15 runs. However, Rishad struck back, clean bowling Faheem on the final delivery of the over, leaving Pakistan with 13 to chase in the final over. Daniyal hit a boundary on the first ball, but fell on the next, sealing a famous win for the Tigers.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Brilliance
Left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam led the way with figures of 3 wickets, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mahedi Hasan contributed with two scalps each. Their disciplined bowling strangled Pakistan’s batting line-up from the start.
Jaker Ali was adjudged Player of the Match for his calm and impactful innings earlier in the game.
First Innings Recap: Jaker Ali Anchors Bangladesh to 133
Opting to bat first after being put in, Bangladesh posted 133 before getting bowled out in 19.5 overs. The innings started poorly with opener Mohammad Naim departing for just 3 runs in the second over.
Pakistan’s bowling unit maintained tight lines in the powerplay, allowing only 14 runs in the first three overs. However, Faheem Ashraf leaked 11 runs in the fourth over, briefly easing pressure before Salman Mirza struck back with two quick wickets—Litton Das for 8 and Towhid Hridoy via a brilliant run-out by Agha Salman.
At 28/4 in the powerplay, Bangladesh were under immense pressure until a gritty 53-run partnership between Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan rescued the innings. Mahedi contributed 33 off 25 balls with two sixes and as many fours before falling, but Jaker stayed firm, finishing unbeaten on 55 off 34 balls, which included five sixes and a four.
Pakistan’s Bowling Highlights
Pakistan shared the wickets among their bowlers:
- Abbas Afridi, Ahmed Daniyal, and Salman Mirza each claimed two wickets.
- Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with one apiece.
However, their bowling effort couldn’t compensate for the top-order batting collapse, resulting in a rare T20I series defeat against Bangladesh.