Tigers crush Pakistan in T20 opener
Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhd Hridoy lead Bangladesh to victory, Cricfrenzy
Fresh off a historic T20I series win in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh carried their momentum into Mirpur, dismantling Pakistan by 7 wickets in the first match of the three-game T20I series on Sunday.
In what has traditionally been their weakest format, the Tigers once again showed signs of a new, confident generation rising through the ranks, with captain Litton Das and his young squad completely outplaying the visitors.
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At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 110 in 19.3 overs after being sent in to bat. Bangladesh chased down the target with 27 balls to spare, sealing a commanding win.
This result marks a sharp reversal from just six weeks ago, when Bangladesh were whitewashed 3-0 during a tour of Pakistan. But in Mirpur, the tables turned dramatically. Playing on a typical slow surface, Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated proceedings, led by the brilliance of Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
Mustafizur was nearly unplayable, conceding just 6 runs and taking 2 wickets in his 4 overs—setting a new record for the most economical four-over spell by a Bangladeshi bowler in T20Is. Taskin picked up 3 wickets for 22 runs, while Mehidy Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib chipped in with a wicket apiece. The fielders were sharp as well, contributing to three run-outs, including two involving Litton Das
Only three Pakistani batters reached double figures. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 44 off 34 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six, but survived two dropped chances before being run out. Khushdil Shah made 17 off 23 balls with a four and a six, while Abbas Afridi struck three sixes in his 24-ball 22.
After Fakhar was dropped early off Mehidy Hasan’s bowling, Taskin Ahmed quickly dismissed Saim Ayub in the second over. Pakistan stumbled to 41 for 4 inside the powerplay. Mehidy claimed the wicket of Mohammad Haris, while Tanzim removed captain Salman Agha.
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Mustafizur then got rid of Hasan Nawaz before Mohammad Nawaz was run out. Fakhar was run out later despite surviving a second chance, thanks to a sharp effort from Litton and Taskin.
Khushdil and Abbas put together the highest partnership of the innings—33 runs for the eighth wicket—but Mustafizur broke that stand too.
The innings ended abruptly when Taskin took three wickets in three consecutive balls (not a hat-trick due to a run-out in between) Faheem caught, Salman Mirza run out, and Abbas caught, all within the final over.
Chasing 111, Bangladesh had a minor scare early in the innings. Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who was in top form in the previous match in Sri Lanka, was dismissed in the very first over by Salman Mirza. Litton fell in the next over, leaving Bangladesh wobbling at 7 for 2.
However, opener Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy steadied the innings with a composed 73-run stand off 62 balls, effectively taking the game away from Pakistan. Abbas Afridi managed to bowl Hridoy for 36, but Emon stayed till the end, anchoring the chase.
Parvez Hossain Emon finished unbeaten on 56 off just 38 balls, striking 3 fours and 5 sixes. Alongside Jaker Ali, he ensured Bangladesh cruised home comfortably and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
The next match promises to be crucial for Pakistan, while Bangladesh will look to seal the series and continue their impressive rise in T20 cricket.
