Pakistan kicked off the T20I series in style, defeating Bangladesh by 37 runs. Take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. The match saw a brilliant all-round display from Shadab Khan and a sensational comeback by Hasan Ali. He ripped through the Bangladeshi batting lineup by taking 5 wickets haul.
Winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat first but had a shaky start. Both openers fell cheaply—Saim Ayub went for a golden duck, and Fakhar Zaman managed just 1 run.
But Pakistan’s innings recovered quickly thanks to a solid 50-run stand between Mohammad Haris (31 off 18) and skipper Salman Ali Agha, who played a captain’s knock. Agha smashed 56 off 34 balls, reaching his fifty in just 29 deliveries and anchoring the innings with confidence.
The real fireworks came from young gun Hasan Nawaz, who played a blinder 44 runs off just 22 balls. His innings includes 4 sixes and 2 fours. His fearless approach boosted Pakistan’s momentum right when it was needed.
In the death overs, Shadab Khan took charge, smashing an aggressive 48 off 25 balls to lift Pakistan to an impressive 201/7 by the end of 20 overs.
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Bangladesh Fights, But Hasan Ali Turns the Game
Chasing 202, Bangladesh had a promising start. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (31) and skipper Litton Das (48) put together a 100/2 scoreline at one stage, looking well in control.
But once their partnership broke, Pakistan’s bowling unit turned up the heat.
Hasan Ali, making a comeback to the T20 side, bowled with purpose and aggression, ending with a five-wicket haul (5/30). His spell broke the back of Bangladesh’s chase and earned loud applause from the home crowd.
Shadab Khan added to his all-round performance by taking 2 wickets, while Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, and Faheem Ashraf picked up a wicket each, wrapping up the Bangladeshi innings well short of the target.
With a match-winning 48 with the bat and 2 wickets with the ball, Shadab Khan was rightly awarded Player of the Match. His impact on both ends of the game proved vital for Pakistan’s win.
Pakistan now leads the series 1-0, with the remaining two T20Is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on May 30 and June 1.
