Bangladesh Clinches First-Ever T20 Series Victory Over Pakistan

Melbourne, 23 July– The target was just 134. Yet, Bangladesh found themselves in deep trouble at 15 for 5 during the run chase. What seemed like a straightforward win suddenly turned into a dramatic battle. Pakistan’s Fahim Ashraf almost pulled off a miraculous comeback. But on home soil, Bangladesh held their nerve, denied Pakistan the upset, and etched history with a remarkable win.

In the second match of the three-game series, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 8 runs. With this win, Bangladesh took an unassailable 2-0 lead, clinching their first-ever T20I series victory against Pakistan—a historic achievement for Liton Das and his team.

Playing at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh were sent to bat first after losing the toss. The team was bowled out for just 133 runs in 20 overs. Zakir Ali Anik was the standout performer, scoring a gritty 55 off 48 balls under pressure.

Pakistan’s batting collapsed in shocking fashion. They lost their first two wickets for just 9 runs—one to a run-out and the other to pacer Shoriful Islam. Things got worse quickly, as three more wickets tumbled for the addition of just six more runs.

Opener Fakhar Zaman fell to Shoriful, while Tanzim Sakib removed Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz. Pakistan slumped to 15 for 5—their worst-ever start in T20I history in terms of losing five wickets for so few runs.

Bangladesh, too, had never taken five opposition wickets for just 15 runs in T20Is.

The sixth wicket came courtesy of Sheikh Mehdi Hasan, who dismissed Agha Salman with a catch at long-on just as the batter looked to settle in.

Pakistan never recovered from the collapse. Although Fahim Ashraf tried to mount a rescue act with some resistance from Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi, the effort fell short.

Shoriful Islam starred with the ball for Bangladesh, picking up 3 wickets for just 17 runs. Sakib and Sheikh Mehdi took two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field. Bangladesh’s batting lineup faltered early. Mohammad Naim, brought in for Tamim Iqbal, fell for just 3 runs in the second over, caught behind off Fahim Ashraf.

Captain Liton Das failed to anchor the innings, departing for 8 off 9 balls, caught by Nawaz in the fifth over off Salman Mirza. Salman also claimed the wicket of Towhid Hridoy in the same over, running him out for a duck.

At 25 for 3, the situation worsened when Parvez Hossain Emon—who had scored a half-century in the previous match—got out for 13 off 14 balls, despite getting a start.

With Bangladesh reeling at 28 for 4, Sheikh Mehdi and Zakir Ali Anik steadied the ship with a crucial 53-run partnership. Though they couldn’t score at a typical T20 pace due to the slow pitch at Mirpur, they helped Bangladesh recover and build a fighting total.

The partnership ended at 81 when Mehdi was dismissed for 33 off 25 balls, caught at long-off off Mohammad Nawaz. Shamim Hossain followed soon after, bowled for 1 by Daniel.

Despite the regular loss of wickets, Zakir Ali’s steady fifty ensured Bangladesh had something to bowl at.

For Pakistan, Salman Mirza and Daniel took two wickets each, while Abbas Afridi, Fahim Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz took one apiece.

Even on this historic day of sporting triumph, the mood in Bangladesh remains somber. While the cricketers celebrated a landmark series win, their hearts were heavy with grief following the Milestone College tragedy, which claimed the lives of students and a teacher.

As a mark of respect and remembrance, Bangladesh T20I captain Liton Das dedicated the series win to the victims of the Milestone tragedy, adding an emotional depth to a proud sporting moment.