Dominant Pakistan outclass Bangladesh in series opener
LAHORE: A commanding half-century by skipper Salman Ali Agha, complemented by a fiery five-wicket haul from Hasan Ali, powered Pakistan to a comprehensive 37-run win over Bangladesh in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a steep target of 202, Bangladesh faltered and were bundled out for 164 in 19.2 overs.
The visitors’ chase began on a shaky note, with Hasan Ali striking twice early to dismiss openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan within the first four overs, leaving the score at 37/2.
Captain Litton Das then partnered with Towhid Hridoy to rebuild the innings, adding 63 runs for the third wicket. Das took the lead in scoring but fell for 48 off 30 balls—featuring one boundary and three maximums—after a soft dismissal off Shadab Khan.
His wicket triggered a collapse, as Bangladesh crumbled under pressure and eventually fell short of the target. Jaker Ali provided a late surge with a valiant 36 off 21 deliveries, hitting one four and three sixes.
Hasan Ali led the bowling onslaught for Pakistan with outstanding figures of 5/30. Shadab Khan supported well with two wickets, while Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a formidable total of 201/7 in their 20 overs.
However, the innings got off to a rough start as the new opening pair of Saim Ayub (0) and Fakhar Zaman (1) fell cheaply, dismissed by Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam, respectively, leaving the hosts reeling at 5/2.
Skipper Agha then joined Mohammad Haris to steady the innings. The pair stitched together a 48-run stand off 31 balls before Haris departed for a quickfire 31 off 18, which included four boundaries and a six.
Agha continued the momentum alongside Hasan Nawaz, putting up a rapid 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Agha top-scored with a fluent 56 off 34 balls, featuring eight boundaries and one six, before falling to Hasan Mahmud.
Nawaz followed soon after, scoring an impactful 44 off 22 balls with two fours and four sixes.
Vice-captain Shadab Khan provided a strong finish with a dynamic 48, laced with five boundaries and two maximums.
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam was the pick of the
