Tanzid’s ton helps Bangladesh seal series 2-1
Agha Salman’s fighting 106 goes in vain as his late dismissal ends Pakistan’s hopes
By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Bangladesh secured a thrilling 11-run victory over Pakistan in the third and final ODI at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur and sealed the three-match series 2–1.
A brilliant century from Tanzid Hasan and a disciplined bowling performance led by Taskin Ahmed helped the hosts defend a competitive total of 290 in a tense finish.
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first, Bangladesh built their innings around a superb knock from opener Tanzid Hasan. The left-hander played a mature and well-paced innings, scoring 107 runs off 107 balls with six fours and seven sixes. His century formed the backbone of Bangladesh’s total and came at a crucial time as the team looked to post a strong score on a good batting surface.
Saif Hassan gave Bangladesh a steady start, contributing 36 runs off 55 balls before falling to Shaheen Shah Afridi. The opening partnership helped Bangladesh reach 105 before the first wicket fell in the 19th over. Najmul Hossain Shanto then added 27 runs but was trapped lbw by Haris Rauf. Tanzid continued to anchor the innings while building partnerships through the middle overs.
Litton Das contributed a useful 41 off 51 balls, including a four and a six, before he was dismissed by Haris Rauf in the 47th over. Towhid Hridoy provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 48 from 44 balls, striking four boundaries and ensuring Bangladesh finished strongly. Afif Hossain remained not out on 5 as Bangladesh ended their innings at 290 for 5 in 50 overs.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the most successful bowler with 3-52 in his 10 overs. Abrar Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up one wicket each while the rest of the bowling attack struggled to contain Bangladesh in the later stages.
Chasing a challenging target of 291, Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana struck early blows that left Pakistan reeling at 17-3 within the first three overs. Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for six by Taskin, Maaz Sadaqat fell for six to Nahid Rana and Mohammad Rizwan was bowled by Taskin for just four.
Ghazi Ghori, making his ODI debut, tried to stabilize the innings with 29 runs from 39 balls but he was bowled by Nahid Rana in the 14th over. Abdul Samad added 34 off 45 balls but was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman as Pakistan slipped further behind the required rate.
Pakistan’s hopes were revived by a magnificent counterattacking innings from Salman Agha. The middle-order batsman played an outstanding knock of 106 runs from 98 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes. He brought up his half-century off 60 balls and later completed his century in 89 balls, keeping Pakistan in contention deep into the chase.
Agha found support from Saad Masood, who scored 38 from 44 balls and later from captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who contributed an aggressive 37 off 38 balls with two fours and two sixes. Their partnerships helped Pakistan cross the 250-run mark and pushed the match into a tense final phase.
However, Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs. Taskin Ahmed delivered a crucial breakthrough when he dismissed Salman Agha in the 48th over, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes of victory. Mustafizur Rahman removed Haris Rauf shortly after and in the final over Shaheen Shah Afridi was stumped by Litton Das off Rishad Hossain, leaving Pakistan all out for 279.
Taskin Ahmed was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, finishing with impressive figures of 4-49 in his 10 overs. Mustafizur Rahman supported him well with 3-54, while Nahid Rana picked up 2-62. Rishad Hossain also chipped in with one wicket.
Despite Agha’s heroic century, Pakistan ultimately fell 11 runs short of the target as Bangladesh completed a memorable victory in front of their home crowd.
Summarised scores:
Bangladesh: 290-5 in 50 overs
Tanzid Hasan 107 (107), Towhid Hridoy 48* (44), Litton Das 41 (51)
Haris Rauf 3-52, Abrar Ahmed 1-49, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-55
Pakistan: 279 all out in 50 overs
Salman Agha 106 (98), Saad Masood 38 (44), Shaheen Shah Afridi 37 (38)
Taskin Ahmed 4-49, Mustafizur Rahman 3-54, Nahid Rana 2-62
Result: Bangladesh won by 11 runs
Series Result: Bangladesh won the three-match ODI series 2–1.
