Nahid Rana’s 5-Wicket Haul Powers Bangladesh to Commanding Victory Over Pakistan
Bangladesh registered a dominant eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday, comfortably chasing a modest target in a one-sided contest.
Pursuing 116, Bangladesh reached the target with ease, losing only two wickets and finishing the chase in just 15.1 overs. The foundation of the win was laid by the top order, with an aggressive approach that kept Pakistan’s bowlers under constant pressure.
Openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan began positively, adding 27 runs for the first wicket. Tanzid looked particularly fluent, taking on the new-ball attack of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf in the opening overs. Shaheen eventually provided the breakthrough by dismissing Saif for 4 off 10 balls.
After the early wicket, Tanzid was joined by Najmul Hossain Shanto and the pair shifted the momentum firmly in Bangladesh’s favour. They attacked the bowling from the outset, striking regular boundaries and guiding the team past fifty inside the first seven overs. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain them, with even the spin of Abrar Ahmed being dispatched for back-to-back sixes.
The partnership flourished as the duo added 82 runs for the second wicket. Tanzid brought up his fifth ODI half-century and continued to dominate the scoring, pushing Bangladesh to 92/1 in the 12th over. The stand was eventually broken when Mohammad Wasim Jr removed Shanto, who made 27 from 33 deliveries with five boundaries.
Bangladesh wrapped up the chase soon after, with Tanzid remaining unbeaten on an impressive 67 off 42 balls, an innings decorated with seven fours and five sixes. Litton Das was at the crease alongside him on three when the winning runs were scored.
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings never gained real momentum despite a steady start. The new opening pair of Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan put together a 41-run opening stand, offering early promise. However, the partnership was ended by Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana, who dismissed Farhan for 27 off 38 balls just before the end of the powerplay.
Rana struck again shortly after, removing debutant Shamyl Hussain for four, leaving Pakistan 47/2. The collapse continued as Maaz was also dismissed by Rana for 18, triggering a dramatic slide in the batting order.
Pakistan’s middle order failed to recover. Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for 10, again falling to Rana, as the visitors slipped to 64/4. The Bangladeshi pacer continued his outstanding spell by claiming his fifth wicket when Salman Ali Agha departed for five.
The pressure intensified when Mehidy Hasan Miraz entered the attack. He removed Abdul Samad for a duck and later dismissed Hussain Talat for four. In the same spell, Pakistan captain Shaheen was trapped LBW for four, leaving the visitors struggling at 81/8.
Further damage followed as Taskin Ahmed dismissed Wasim Jr without scoring. Pakistan eventually managed to cross the 100-run mark largely thanks to a fighting effort from Faheem Ashraf, who scored 37 off 47 balls, striking six fours and a six. His resistance ended when Mustafizur Rahman claimed the final wicket.
Nahid Rana was the standout performer with the ball, producing a superb spell of 5 for 24 in seven overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz supported him well with three wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with one each as Bangladesh sealed a convincing victory.
