By our correspondent
LAHORE: Pakistan will be aiming to clinch an unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series when they face Bangladesh in the second game at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday (tonight. The match is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM PST.
Both teams rested on Thursday, likely using the day to reflect and strategize for what promises to be a crucial encounter, expected to draw a sizable crowd in Lahore.
Pakistan made a strong start to the series on Wednesday, securing a 37-run win over Bangladesh. The visitors, already hampered by the absence of key pacers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman due to injuries, struggled in both departments.
Captain Agha Salman (56), Shadab Khan (48), and Hasan Nawaz (44) contributed vital runs, helping Pakistan post 201-7 after electing to bat. In response, Hasan Ali delivered a career-best performance, claiming 5-30 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 164.
Pakistan are likely to field an unchanged XI for the second T20I. The match is a must-win for Bangladesh, who are also without Nahid Rana. Rana opted out of the tour after experiencing distress during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
Skipper Agha Salman expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance but emphasized the need for improvement.
“We’ll try to perform even better in the second game,” said Salman, who led from the front with his third T20I fifty. “I’m happy with how the team responded after the early setbacks. Our goal is to excel in all departments.”
Bangladesh captain Litton Das acknowledged his team’s underwhelming performance and stressed the importance of bouncing back.
“We didn’t bowl, bat, or field well in the first game. I won’t make excuses—we have to come back strongly with two matches remaining,” Litton said.
Litton was a key figure in Bangladesh’s batting, scoring 48 before falling to Shadab Khan—a dismissal that triggered a collapse, further accelerated by Hasan Ali’s devastating spell.
“In T20 cricket, fielding plays a major role, and we haven’t done well in that area,” Litton added. “A 200-run chase is possible at Gaddafi Stadium, especially with a fast outfield and a good batting surface. We just didn’t perform in the middle overs.”
He emphasized the need for a more thoughtful approach:
“Cricket isn’t just about practice—it’s also about thinking and executing those plans on the field.”
The victory marked a promising start for Pakistan’s newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson, whose focus is on building a competitive side for next year’s T20 World Cup. The team’s aggressive batting on Wednesday reflected the kind of intent essential in modern T20 cricket.
Match Officials:
On-field umpires: Rashid Riaz and Faisal Afridi
TV umpire: Ahsan Raza
Fourth umpire: Asif Yaqoob
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
The win was Pakistan’s 17th in 20 T20Is against Bangladesh.
Pakistan Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan.
Bangladesh Squad:
Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-captain), Tanvir Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam.
