Credit: ICC
In the first T20 International (T20I) played between Bangladesh and Pakistan played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, the former side outclassed the visitors in all departments of the game and bagged a seven-wicket triumph. Luck favoured Bangladesh captain Litton Das, who won the toss and put Pakistan to bat first. Proving his decision correct, his bowlers created pressure on the Men in Green. Within the first powerplay, the Bangla team lost four batters at a score of 41. In the crunch situation, expectations were high from veteran Fakhar Zaman, who was looking decent with his bat. In the eighth over, Mohammad Nawaz got run out and Khushdil Shah joined the 35-year-old in the middle.
However, both built a 24-run partnership but Zaman, in miscommunication with Shah, got run out and Pakistan saw themselves under immense pressure. Riding on the fighting 22-run knock of Abbas Afridi, Pakistan reached a total of 110 in 19.3 overs. Taskin Ahmed got three wickets in his 3.3 overs while Mustafizur Rahman also hunted two scalps in his four-over spell. Mahedi Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib also got one wicket apiece.
Bangladesh completed the chase in a convincing manner
Following the target, Bangladesh lost their top-order batters Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das early but Parvez Hossain Emon held his nerves and maintained a 73-run partnership off 61 balls. Riding on this crucial partnership, the hosts went close to the total. Abbas Afridi cleaned up Tanzid and strove to bring Pakistan back into the match.
However, Emon looked relentless and completed his second T20I half-century in just 34 balls. Both Emon and Jaker Ali took the Bangla team home in 15.3 overs. The Bangla side are now 1-0 up in the series. The second contest will be a do-or-die for the Men in Green. Emon’s batting performance (unbeaten 56 off 39) made him the recipient of the Player of the Match (POTM) award.
