By our correspondent
DHAKA: Bangladesh secured their first-ever T20I series victory over Pakistan with a thrilling eight-run win in the second game at a packed Shere Bangla National Stadium. The hosts held their nerve in a tense finish, surviving a late onslaught from Faheem Ashraf to seal the win and the series.
Pakistan’s top order faltered once again, with none of the top six reaching double figures—mirroring their struggles in the first match. This time, it was the lower order that offered a glimmer of hope, with Ashraf producing a fighting maiden T20I half-century. His 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Abbas Afridi brought Pakistan back into the contest, but it ultimately fell short.
Pace Trio Seals the Deal
Bangladesh’s pace attack—Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib—was instrumental in applying sustained pressure. Their incisive new-ball spells gave Bangladesh the upper hand early, a platform that proved decisive in the end.
Pakistan Collapse to Historic Low
Pakistan’s chase of 134 got off to a nightmare start as they slumped to 15 for 5—their lowest score after five wickets down in T20Is. Saim Ayub was run out in the opening over following a mix-up, brilliantly orchestrated by Rishad Hossain’s fielding at deep point.
Shoriful Islam, returning in place of Taskin Ahmed, struck with his third ball, trapping Mohammad Haris lbw for a golden duck. Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s top scorer in the first game, was caught down the leg side for just 8 in Shoriful’s next over.
Tanzim Hasan then delivered a game-defining double strike in the fifth over, dismissing both Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz for ducks off consecutive deliveries.
Ashraf Fights Lone Battle
At 47 for 7 in the 12th over, Pakistan looked dead and buried. With wickets tumbling around him, Faheem Ashraf counterattacked. He launched Mahedi Hasan over long-on for his first six before hammering Rishad Hossain for a four and two sixes in a 20-run over. Suddenly, Pakistan needed just 52 off the final five overs.
Shoriful removed Abbas Afridi at the start of the 17th, but Ashraf kept Pakistan alive with another six. A dropped catch by Tanzim at long-on—when Ashraf was on 38—added to the tension.
Debutant Ahmed Daniyal chipped in with two boundaries off Rishad, before Ashraf brought up his fifty with a towering six. However, he was bowled the very next ball by a low delivery. With 13 needed from the final over, Daniyal struck the first ball from Mustafizur for four but was caught at deep midwicket three balls later—Shamim Hossain taking a calm, match-clinching catch.
Rookies Step Up for Pakistan
Earlier, Ashraf had struck with the ball to remove Bangladesh opener Litton Das. Newcomers Salman Mirza and Daniyal then rocked Bangladesh’s top order—Mirza removing Litton and Daniyal dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon and Shamim Hossain. Towhid Hridoy was also run out early, leaving the hosts reeling at 28 for 4.
Jaker Ali Lifts Bangladesh
In familiar fashion, Jaker Ali came to Bangladesh’s rescue. He waited patiently before opening up with a powerful slog over backward square leg. He stitched a crucial 53-run stand with Mahedi Hasan, who chipped in with 33 off 25 balls, including two sixes.
After Mahedi’s dismissal, Jaker went on the offensive. He smashed Daniyal for a six over midwicket and powered Bangladesh to a competitive total with three more maximums—two over midwicket and one down the ground to bring up his half-century.
His composed yet explosive 55 ensured Bangladesh posted an above-par total at the Mirpur venue—a score that proved just enough in a memorable win.
