Bangladesh didn’t just beat Pakistan in the series opener; they absolutely dismantled them. The game was practically over after they skittled Pakistan for a paltry 110—their lowest-ever total against the Tigers.
The chase was a walk in the park, with Parvez Hossain Emon guiding them home with a cool-headed fifty and almost five overs left in the bank. But the real damage was done by the bowlers.
Taskin Ahmed was brilliant in picking up three wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman was just unplayable, his spell of 2 for 6 being the most stingy ever by a Bangladeshi in T20s.
Fielding also played a key role. Bangladesh effected three run-outs, including the crucial dismissals of Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz.
Fakhar was the only Pakistan batter who looked settled. He scored 44 but was involved in two mix-ups that cost both him and his partners their wickets. The collapse began early. Pakistan were reduced to 46 for 5 by the eighth over, and struggled to recover from there.
Their innings ended with three wickets falling in the final over — two to Taskin and one run-out.
Bangladesh’s chase started shakily. Debutant Salman Mirza struck in the opening over, dismissing Tanzid Hasan. Litton Das followed soon after. At 11 for 2, Pakistan sensed an opportunity.
But Parvez and Towhid Hridoy rebuilt with intent. They added 73 for the third wicket. Parvez cleared the boundary five times and found the rope thrice. Hridoy contributed 36 before falling in the 13th over.
Parvez stayed composed throughout. Even as Pakistan dropped chances — Hridoy twice, and later Parvez — the pressure never shifted back. Jaker Ali came in late and helped close the game, finishing with two boundaries from his first four balls.
The final blow came from Jaker’s bat. A pull shot ended Pakistan’s hopes and capped off a win that, while never flashy, felt fully under control once Bangladesh settled in.
The second T20I will be played on Tuesday, again in Dhaka.
