Emon and Mustfizur shines as Bangladesh defeat Pakistan in the opening T20I of the series
MIRPUR: Bangladesh cruised to a convincing seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the opening match of the three-game T20I series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, powered by a match-defining half-century from Parvez Hossain Emon.
Chasing a modest target of 111, Bangladesh faced early jolts as debutant Salman Mirza struck twice in quick succession. He dismissed Tanzid Hasan for just one run in the first over and then removed Bangladesh captain Litton Das—also for one—in his next, leaving the hosts reeling at 7 for 2 in 2.2 overs.
However, Parvez Emon, alongside Towhid Hridoy, steadied the innings with a vital 73-run stand for the third wicket, repairing the early damage and putting Bangladesh back on course.
Abbas Afridi eventually broke the partnership, sending back Hridoy for 36 off 37 deliveries with the score at 80 for 3 in the 13th over.
Unfazed, Emon held firm and anchored the chase superbly, notching up his second T20I fifty and remaining unbeaten on 56 as Bangladesh crossed the finish line in 15.3 overs. Jaker Ali added a quick 15 off 10 balls to seal the win and hand Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the series.
For Pakistan, Salman Mirza impressed in his first outing, finishing with figures of 2 for 23 in 3.3 overs, while Abbas Afridi picked up one wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan made a promising start with openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub finding early boundaries. But their momentum quickly fizzled out.
Saim Ayub was the first to go, dismissed for six by Taskin Ahmed in the second over, while Mohammad Haris fell soon after—he struck a boundary off Mahedi Hasan but was bowled on the very next ball.
Captain Agha Salman could not make an impact either, departing for just three to Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
The pressure mounted further when Mustafizur Rahman removed Hassan Nawaz for a duck, reducing Pakistan to 41 for 4. A run-out due to a mix-up saw Mohammad Nawaz depart cheaply as well, leaving Pakistan tottering at 46 for 5 in the eighth over.
Fakhar Zaman was the lone bright spot for Pakistan, scoring a fighting 44 off 34 balls. However, another run-out—this time involving Khushdil Shah—brought his knock to an end with the total at 70 for 6.
Abbas Afridi provided some late fireworks with three sixes, while Khushdil tried to steady the innings. Their 33-run partnership was broken when Mustafizur dismissed Khushdil for 17, leaving Pakistan at 103 for 7.
Taskin Ahmed returned to clean up the tail, dismissing Faheem Ashraf for five, running out debutant Salman Mirza for a duck, and eventually removing Afridi for 22 to bowl Pakistan out for 110 in 19.5 overs—their lowest T20I total against Bangladesh.
Taskin Ahmed led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 22, while Mustafizur Rahman starred with an economical spell of 2 for 6. Mahedi Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed a wicket each.
The series will resume at the same venue on Tuesday with the second T20I.
