Bangladesh secured the T20I series against Pakistan with a game to spare, winning back-to-back matches in commanding fashion.
“In a nation wrapped in mourning, how much warmth can cricket or sports really offer?” Yet, life presses on — people step out, bearing their grief in silence. For a few fleeting hours of cricketing joy, around twenty thousand fans gathered at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. And the Bangladesh team gave them what they came for — a thrilling victory after waves of drama and excitement.
“Turning grief into strength” — a phrase often repeated, perhaps even clichéd. But how difficult it is to truly live it! The Bangladesh cricket team did just that. They clinched the series with an 8-run win in the second T20I against Pakistan.
Before the game, tributes were paid for those lost in the tragic crash of an Air Force jet at Milestone School & College. The somber mood was visible on the faces of the players. But once on the field, they lit up the game with their spirited performance.
This is Bangladesh’s first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan. Coming on the heels of a series win in Sri Lanka, it marked yet another major success. Under Liton Das’s leadership, Bangladesh have now won three series out of five under his captaincy.
On Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla, a fighting fifty from Zakir Ali helped Bangladesh post 133 in 20 overs. Pakistan, in reply, slumped to 47 for 7, seemingly out of the contest. But a heroic counter-attack from Faheem Ashraf kept Pakistan’s hopes alive. Still, Liton’s team held their nerve in the final over to seal the win.
The pitch played slow again, much like the previous match — with some extra bounce and stopping deliveries. But 134 wasn’t an unreachable target. What made it seem daunting was Bangladesh’s brilliant bowling.
The first wicket came as a gift — Saim Ayub run out in the opening over. Then came a flurry of wickets. Mohammad Haris and Fakhar Zaman fell to Shariful Islam, returning to the XI in place of Taskin Ahmed. Tanzim Hasan struck twice in two balls to remove Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz, both for ducks.
By the fifth over, Pakistan were reeling at 15 for 5!
This was their lowest score after losing five wickets in T20Is. For Bangladesh, it was the first time taking five wickets for so few runs in this format.
The wicket spree paused briefly, but Pakistan found no respite. Captain Salman Ali Agha (9 off 23) ended his painful stay with a soft dismissal off Mehidy Hasan.
Pakistan’s first six batters combined for just 18 runs!
Mehidy soon dismissed Khushdil Shah (13), leaving Pakistan at 47 for 7. Records of lowest team scores and other stats started circulating among fans.
But standing amidst the ruins, Faheem Ashraf dared to dream. Launching a counter-attack, he got support from Abbas Afridi (19 off 13). Their 41-run stand off 27 balls revived Pakistan’s fading hopes, as Bangladesh’s bowling and fielding slipped slightly.
Faheem pressed on with debutant Ahmed Daniyal (17* off 11). Pakistan needed 28 off the last two overs. In the 19th over, Daniyal smashed two fours off Rishad Hossain, and Faheem sent the fifth ball over the ropes.
With seven balls left, Pakistan needed just 13!
But despite his career-best knock of 51 off 32 balls, Faheem couldn’t finish the job. He was bowled by a sharp Rishad delivery in the final ball of the 19th over.
In the last over, with 13 needed, Daniyal hit Mustafizur’s first ball for four. But on the next delivery, his lofted shot was safely caught by Shamim at midwicket. The stadium erupted in joy.
Earlier in the match, after losing the toss, Bangladesh batted first and lost Mohammad Naim (3 off 7) in the second over — a weak attempt over the keeper.
Parvez Hossain Emon showed some promise with a six and a four off Faheem Ashraf in consecutive balls. But things unraveled quickly. After a dropped catch on 6, Liton fell for 8 attempting a pull. That same over saw Towhid Hridoy (0) run out — a bizarre moment of self-destruction.
Parvez (13 off 14) fell softly soon after. Bangladesh were tottering at 28 for 4.
The innings was steadied by Zakir Ali and Sheikh Mehidy Hasan.
Mehidy, who seemed to have forgotten how to bat in recent games — scoring just 17 runs in his last five T20I innings — finally reminded everyone he’s an all-rounder. With two fours and two sixes, he made 33 off 25, his career-best in 60 T20Is.
The duo added 53 runs for the fifth wicket.
But quick dismissals of Shamim Hossain (1) and Tanzim Hasan (7) derailed the innings again. Zakir almost single-handedly dragged the total past 130. Though he couldn’t score off several deliveries — deliberately holding strike — he made up for it with five sixes, making full use of a life he got on 32.
In the final over, he hit Abbas Afridi for two sixes to bring up his third T20I fifty.
Among the bowlers, Salman Mirza impressed again, claiming 2 wickets for 17. Debutant pacer Ahmed Daniyal also picked up two wickets.
At that stage, Pakistan still seemed in the game — but then came their collapse. They fought hard later, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Bangladesh will look for a whitewash when they return to the same ground on Thursday.
Brief Score
- Bangladesh: 133 in 20 overs (Zakir 55, Mehidy 33, Parvez 13; Salman Mirza 2/17, Daniyal 2/23)
- Pakistan: 125 in 19.2 overs (Faheem 51, Afridi 19, Daniyal 17*; Shariful 3/17, Mehidy 2/25, Tanzim 2/23)
Result: Bangladesh won by 8 runs.
Series: Bangladesh lead the 3-match series 2-0.
Player of the Match: Zakir Ali.
