By our correspondent
LAHORE: Shadab Khan starred with an impressive all-round performance, while Hasan Ali produced his career-best T20I bowling figures of 5-30 in 3.2 overs as Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 37 runs in the opening game of the three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 201-7, courtesy of strong contributions from Salman Ali Agha (56), Shadab Khan (48), and Hasan Nawaz (44). In response, Bangladesh were bowled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.
Hasan Ali led the bowling charge with a fiery spell that earned him a place among the elite Pakistani bowlers with five-wicket hauls in T20Is. He joined the ranks of Sufyan Muqeem (5-3 vs Zimbabwe), Umar Gul (5-6 vs New Zealand and 5-6 vs South Africa), and Imad Wasim (5-14 vs West Indies). Shadab Khan also played a key role with the ball, taking 2-26.
Chasing 202, Bangladesh lost both openers early and found themselves at 37-2 within four overs. Skipper Litton Das then anchored the innings with a brisk 48 off 30 balls, featuring three sixes and a four, including two maximums in a 17-run over bowled by Haris Rauf. He shared a 63-run third-wicket stand off 42 balls with Towhid Hridoy.
However, just as Bangladesh looked to stabilize, Shadab removed Das, caught by Fakhar Zaman, reducing the visitors to 100-3 after 12 overs. Khushdil Shah then trapped Hridoy lbw for 17 off 22 deliveries in the next over.
Salman Ali Agha dismissed Shamim Hossain (4) in the following over, before Shadab struck again to remove Rishad Hossain (4), leaving Bangladesh reeling at 124-6 in the 16th over.
Jaker Ali provided brief resistance with a spirited 36 off 21 balls, striking three sixes and a four, but he too fell to Hasan Ali, as Bangladesh’s hopes faded.
Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, and Faheem Ashraf each chipped in with a wicket to support the Hasan-Shadab duo.
Earlier, Pakistan recovered from a shaky start to post a commanding total. After losing both openers — Saim Ayub (0) to Mahedi Hasan in the first over and Fakhar Zaman (1) to Shoriful Islam in the second — they were reduced to 5-2.
Captain Salman Ali Agha then took charge, stabilizing the innings with a calculated 56 off 34 balls — his third T20I half-century. He first added 48 runs off 31 balls with Mohammad Haris (31 off 18), who played aggressively with four boundaries and a six, including a 16-run over against Shoriful.
Agha then stitched a quick 65-run stand in just 33 balls with Hasan Nawaz. His innings featured eight fours and a six, including three boundaries off Mahedi Hasan in the fifth over and 16 runs off Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the tenth. He was eventually dismissed by Hasan Mahmud, with Tanzid Hasan taking a sharp catch at extra cover.
Hasan Nawaz followed soon after, caught and bowled by Rishad Hossain in the 14th over. His 44-run knock included four towering sixes and two fours. At that point, Pakistan were 139-5.
Shadab Khan then provided a late flourish, smashing 48 off just 25 deliveries with five fours and two sixes. He dominated a rapid 50-run stand for the seventh wicket off 22 balls with Faheem Ashraf, who remained unbeaten on 11 off six balls. Shadab’s 18th over assault on Rishad Hossain yielded 19 runs, including two sixes and a four.
Pakistan reached 52-2 at the end of the powerplay, were 97-3 after 10 overs, and 143-5 after 15. They added 58 runs in the final five overs.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the standout bowler with 2-32 in three overs. Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Shamim Hossain each took a wicket.
The two teams will meet again for the second T20I at the same venue on Friday.
