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Published : 22 Jul 2025, 10:19 PM
Allrounder Jaker Ali produced a sparkling knock while pacer Shoriful Islam kept his nerves at the death, as Bangladesh carved out a tense eight-run victory for their first-ever T20 series win over Pakistan with a match to spare.
Defending a modest 134, the Tigers’ pace trio -- Shoriful (3-17), Mustafizur Rahman (1-17) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2-23) -- tore through Pakistan’s top order, reducing the visitors to 15 for 5 inside five overs at a packed Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Tuesday.
Though Faheem Ashraf (51) launched a late counterattack with his maiden fifty, the hosts held their nerve to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The chase began with Pakistan in deep trouble almost immediately.
Saim Ayub (1) was run out in the first over following a mix-up created by a sharp throw from Rishad Hossain at deep point. In the next over, Shoriful, who replaced Taskin Ahmed, trapped Mohammad Haris lbw for a golden duck.
He then dismissed Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan's top scorer in the previous game, down the leg side for 8.
Tanzim struck twice in successive balls in the fifth over to leave Pakistan reeling. Both Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz edged behind for ducks as Bangladesh took command.
Reduced to 47 for 7 by the 12th over, Pakistan were heading for a rout before Ashraf staged a solo resistance. He launched Mahedi Hasan (2-25) for a six and then plundered 20 runs off Rishad in one over, cutting the equation to 52 needed off the last five overs.
Shoriful ended a ninth-wicket threat by dismissing Abbas Afridi (19) early in the 17th over, only for Ashraf to respond with his third six. A crucial moment came when Tanzim dropped a sitter off Shoriful, giving Ashraf -- then on 38 -- a lifeline.
Needing 28 off the last two overs, debutant Ahmed Daniyal (17) struck two boundaries off Rishad before Ashraf smashed another six to bring up his fifty. But he fell the next ball, ending his 28-ball 54. With 13 needed from the final over, Daniyal struck Mustafizur’s first delivery for four, but Shamim Hossain latched on to a catch to close the contest with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Ashraf had sparked Pakistan’s fightback with the ball too.
After he dismissed Bangladesh opener Mohammad Naim (3) cheaply, debutants Salman Mirza and Daniyal rattled the top order.
Skipper Litton Das (8) was caught in the deep, Towhid Hridoy (0) was run out, and Parvez Hossain Emon holed out for 13 as the Tigers faltered to 28 for 4.
With his team in desperate need of recovery, Jaker bided his time before launching into Pakistan’s bowlers. He and Mahedi stitched a crucial 53-run stand for the fifth wicket, with the latter contributing 33 off 25 balls including two sixes.
After Mahedi fell to Mohammad Nawaz in the 14th over, Jaker went into overdrive. He blasted Daniyal over midwicket and then continued the charge even as wickets tumbled at the other end. With Shamim, Tanzim, and Rishad all falling in quick succession, Jaker was left with just the tail for support.
But he found enough in the tank to clear the ropes three more times, twice over midwicket and once straight down the ground, to complete a memorable half-century. His unbeaten 55 off 48 balls ensured Bangladesh reached 134 for 8, a total that proved just enough on the day.
The last match will be played at the same venue on Thursday, with Bangladesh eyeing a clean sweep.
