Photo: Collected

DHAKA, July 20, 2025 (BSS)-A disciplined bowling effort helped Bangladesh bundle Pakistan out for paltry 110 in 19.3 overs in the first T20 of the three-match series at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed ended with 3-22 but his fellow pacer Mustafizur Rahman did the real damage with superb economical bowling that saw him scalp two wickets for just six runs in four overs.

In a pitch that suited bowlers nicely, all of the Bangladesh bowlers bowled well to strangle Pakistan batters. 

Opener Fakhar Zaman who survived twice made team-best 44 off 34 with six fours and one six. Abbas Afridi chipped-in-with 22 while Khushdil Shah scored 17 for Pakistan.

Five of the top six Pakistan batters were out for single digit figure, limiting their chance to make a healthy score in bowling-friendly condition. 

Fakhar could have gone in the first over but Taskin Ahmed put down a simple catch at long-on off, denying Mahedi Hasan the prized scalp.But Taskin gave the side a breakthrough in the next over, having taken the wicket of Saim Ayub with a back-of-length delivery and Mahedi got the reward 
of his persistence in the next over by getting rid of Mohammad Haris.

Captain Salman Agha threw his wicket after playing a rash short while Mustafizur baffled Hasan Nawaz with his mysterious cutter. 

Pakistan were further jolted when Mohammad Nawaz was trapped run out. Amid the wickets tumbling Fakhar kept the scoreboard rolling somehow but he too was run out, leaving the side 70-6 in 12th over.

Abbas Afridi and Khushdil Shah played some big shots amongst them with the former hitting Tanzim Hasan Sakib back to back six to take the side past 100.

Mustafizur Rahman gave away just two runs in his last two overs to deny Pakistan taking the advantage of the last powerplay.

Taskin thereafter took two wickets in the last over as Pakistan were wrapped up three balls before fulfilling its 20-over quota.