Bangladesh Dismantles Pakistan for a mere 110 Runs in First T20I

MIRPUR: In the opening T20I of the three-match series held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh showcased a clinical bowling display, restricting Pakistan to a paltry score of 110. The visiting team struggled against the disciplined and effective bowling attack of the home side.

After being put in to bat, Pakistan’s innings began with promise as openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub managed to find the boundary ropes early on, contributing to the scoreboard.

However, the tide shifted dramatically when Taskin Ahmed made an early breakthrough in the second over, dismissing Saim Ayub for just six runs. This early loss left Pakistan at 18-1 after only 1.5 overs.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris briefly displayed aggressive intent with a boundary off Mahedi Hasan in the third over. However, his stay was short-lived as he was soon sent back to the pavilion on the very next ball, further diminishing Pakistan’s position to 32-2.

The pressure mounted intensely in the fifth over as skipper Salman Ali Agha found it difficult to rotate the strike against the bowling of Tanzim Hasan Sakib. After struggling and missing several deliveries, Agha eventually succumbed, scoring only three runs off nine balls, leaving Pakistan in a precarious situation at 36-3.

Bangladesh continued their dominance through the final over of the powerplay, with Mustafizur Rahman removing debutant Hassan Nawaz for a duck. This further worsened the visitor’s position, reeling at 41-4 in 5.5 overs.

Pakistan’s difficulties deepened when Mohammad Nawaz was run out due to a misunderstanding, making the score 46-5 in 7.4 overs. Fakhar Zaman, who had been holding his ground at one end, attempted to provide stability to the innings with a resolute knock.

He managed to score 44 runs off 34 deliveries before another instance of miscommunication—this time with Khushdil Shah—resulted in him being run out. This significant blow left Pakistan at 70-6 in 11.3 overs.

Abbas Afridi injected some much-needed energy into the innings with a quickfire counterattack, which included three towering sixes, while Khushdil Shah provided some valuable runs.

The pair managed to put together a 33-run partnership before Mustafizur Rahman struck again, dismissing Khushdil for a slow 17 off 23 balls. Pakistan’s score then stood at 103-7 in 16.2 overs.

During the concluding stages of the innings, Faheem Ashraf was dismissed for five runs in the 20th over by Taskin Ahmed, who maintained his aggressive and fiery spell.

Debutante Salman Mirza was then run out without adding to the score, and Abbas Afridi was dismissed for 22 in the same over, thus securing Taskin his third wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 110.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed spearheaded the bowling attack with an impressive haul of 3 wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman supported well by claiming 2 wickets. Mahedi Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also contributed, taking one wicket each.