Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated as they bowled out Pakistan for just 110 runs in the opening T20I, setting up a commanding position for the hosts in Dhaka.
Liton Das won the toss — his first after nine matches — and opted to field first, hoping to restrict Pakistan under 140. His bowlers more than delivered.
Early Breakthroughs Shake Pakistan
Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start when Taskin Ahmed struck in his first over after dropping a catch in the opening over bowled by Sheikh Mehdi Hasan. Taskin dismissed Saim Ayub for 6, caught by Mustafizur Rahman at deep backward square leg.
Earlier, Fakhar Zaman had a lucky escape when Taskin dropped a simple catch at short fine leg in the very first over. Fakhar, reprieved on 4, went on to top-score with 44 off 34 balls — the only Pakistani batter to reach double figures for much of the innings.
Mehdi Hasan bounced back after an expensive over, removing Mohammad Haris for 4. Then, Tanzim Hasan struck in his first over, dismissing Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha for 3 after thoroughly troubling him with seam and swing.
Pakistan finished the powerplay at 41 for 4, having crumbled from a flying start of 32 runs in the first three overs to a crawl thereafter.
Fakhar’s Comical Dismissal Highlights Middle-Order Collapse
Fakhar survived yet another chance when Mehdi Hasan dropped a sharp return catch, but his luck ran out with a bizarre run-out. After confusion with Khushdil Shah over a second run, Fakhar slipped while turning back and was easily run out by Liton Das despite a wide throw from Taskin. Fakhar’s 44-run knock included six fours and a six.
Mustafizur Rahman later returned to break a brief resistance, dismissing Khushdil Shah for 17. Earlier, Khushdil and Abbas Afridi attempted a counterattack, striking a few boundaries to push Pakistan past the 100-mark.
Mustafiz’s Missed Hat-Trick Chance and Abbas’s Survival
Mustafiz could have grabbed two wickets in two balls, but Liton Das declined a review after a strong lbw shout against Fahim Ashraf. Replays later confirmed the ball would have hit middle stump.
Tanzim Hasan also had Abbas Afridi trapped in front, but this time the review returned an umpire’s call as the ball was just brushing leg stump. Abbas survived — albeit briefly.
Pakistan’s Batting Woes Continue
Debutant Salman Mirza, handed his first T20I cap at age 31, couldn’t make a difference in Pakistan’s deepening batting crisis. The visitors’ middle and lower order faltered against sharp bowling and smart fielding by Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s innings folded at 110, with no partnerships able to rebuild after the regular fall of wickets.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Card
Taskin, Mustafiz, and Tanzim all chipped in with crucial wickets, supported well by Mehdi Hasan and Rishad Hossain. The disciplined bowling attack ensured Pakistan could never recover from their early collapse.
