LAHORE: Pakistan kicked off the Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I series with a commanding 37-run win at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. Skipper Salman Ali Agha struck a fiery fifty, while Hasan Ali crushed Bangladesh’s batting with a stunning five-wicket haul.
Chasing a stiff target of 202, the visiting side crumbled under pressure. Bangladesh managed only 164 runs before being bowled out in 19.2 overs.
Hasan Ali set the tone early. He removed both Bangladeshi openers, Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan, in the first four overs. The score read a shaky 37 for 2.
Bangladesh tried to recover through a third-wicket stand. Captain Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy added 63 runs. Das looked dangerous but fell for 48 off 30 balls, trying to take on Shadab Khan. He hit one four and three sixes.
His exit triggered a collapse. Wickets fell rapidly, and Bangladesh’s chase fell apart. Only Jaker Ali showed some fight. The keeper-batter smashed 36 off just 21 balls with one boundary and three maximums.
Hasan Ali led the bowling charge in this Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I clash. He claimed 5 wickets for 30 runs. Shadab Khan picked up two scalps. Khushdil Shah, Agha Salman, and Faheem Ashraf grabbed one each.
Earlier, Pakistan chose to bat first. The hosts posted a competitive 201 for 7 in their 20 overs. But the innings started on a poor note. Saim Ayub got out for a duck. Fakhar Zaman followed for just one. The scoreboard showed 5 for 2.
Captain Agha Salman took charge. He stitched a solid 48-run partnership with Mohammad Haris. Haris played a brisk knock—31 from 18 deliveries, laced with four fours and one six. He fell to Tanzim Hasan Sakib in the seventh over.
The skipper kept the momentum going. This Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I battle saw him pair up with Hasan Nawaz next. They added 65 runs in just 32 balls. Agha Salman was eventually caught for 56 off 34 balls. His innings included eight boundaries and a six.
Nawaz also shone bright. He hit 44 from only 22 balls, striking two fours and four sixes. He departed in the 14th over, caught off the bowling of Rishad Hossain.
Shadab Khan then took over. The vice-captain smashed 48 runs with five boundaries and two sixes. His late surge lifted Pakistan past 200.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam stood out with two wickets. Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Shamim Hossain all claimed one each.
With this win, Pakistan now leads the Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I series 1-0. The second game will also be held in Lahore on Friday.
