On Wednesday, Pakistan opened the T20I series against Bangladesh by comfortably winning the first game by 37 runs. Salman’s team played well with both bat and ball to take the first match and lead the three-match series 1-0. Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan helped lead Pakistan to 201 in the game. As they chose to bat first, Pakistan lost both Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman to quick dismissals inside the first two overs.
At some point, the scoreboard indicated a 2/5 rating for the company. Adding momentum was skipper Agha Salman, who made a careful half-century to hold the innings together. He hit 56 from 34 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a six, steadying the game for the team. First, Agha partnered with Mohammad Haris for a quickfire 31 from 18 deliveries, and then Hasan Nawaz helped with a further 44 off just 22 to set a big score. Khushdil Shah and Nawaz were dismissed quickly in the middle, but Shadab Khan helped the team with some strong hitting at the end. He scored a rapid 48 from 24 balls, including two sixes and five fours, which helped take Pakistan to 201/7 in their overs. The Bangladesh team’s top bowler was Shoriful Islam, who took two wickets, with four of his teammates each taking one.
The match was no easy win for Bangladesh, even with outstanding performances from Litton Das and Jaker Ali. When Bangladesh started, they struggled, as both openers were out within the first four overs. Tanzid made a brisk start but finished on 31; Litton Das kept the scoreboard moving with an impressive 48 runs off 30 deliveries. Thanks to sixes and a four from his bat, he kept Bangladesh close in the chase as they reached 100 in the 12th over. Their middle-order crumbled after he was dismissed. Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah gave Pakistan’s spinners the chance to perform, removing both Towhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain and reducing Bangladesh to 108/5. Kazakhstan needed all their attention after Jaker Ali threatened a strong Bangladesh comeback, adding 36 runs in just 20 balls, with three sixes and a four.
With West Indies getting Rony set off in the 18th over, their innings ended; Bangladesh were then bowled out for just 164 runs in 19.2 overs. Hasan Ali celebrates with a 5-wicket haul on his comeback. On the night, Hasan Ali stole the spotlight, picking up five wickets in his first match since returning to the international side. His addiction to structure and intensity helped him break the Bangladeshi batting order, landing him many compliments. He also helped the team with two wickets and an impressive performance, which won him the ‘Player of the Match’ award. Match Summary In Pakistan, the team is 201/7 with Agha Salman top-scoring with 56 and Shadab Khan scoring 48; Shoriful Islam was the pick with 2/26. Litton Das scored 48 and Jaker Ali made 36 as the Bangladesh team was all out on 164.
Pakistan won by 37 runs. Pakistan are 1-0 ahead in the three-match T20I series. Playing XIs The Pakistan XI team features Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha (captain), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed Bangladesh will field Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam The next T20I will happen on May 30 and the final T20I will take place on June 1, both matches being held at the Gaddafi Stadium under lights. Let me know if you’d like me to make a graphic or social media message for this match recap!
