DHAKA, July 20, 2025 (BSS)-A disciplined bowling effort was complemented by a
superb half-century of opener Parvez Hossain Emon as Bangladesh thrashed
Pakistan by seven wickets in the three-match T20 International series opening
game today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Emon struck 39 ball-56 not out that included three fours and five sixes, to
help Bangladesh reach 112-3 in 15.3 overs and took 1-0 lead in the series.

Bowlers, led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, earlier wrapped up
Pakistan for 110 in 19.3 overs, giving the side paltry target to chase.

Emon and Towhid Hridoy who made 36 batted with caution to add 73 runs for the
third wicket, a partnership that was instrumental in the victory in a tricky
surface.

But Pakistan hinted at making the contest even, taking two wickets in the
first three overs with debutant Salman Mirza bagging both of those, leaving
Bangladesh at 7-2.

Inform opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim was undone by an extra bounce in Mirza's
fifth ball in the International cricket before captain Liton Das edged a
delivery much outside off to wide of the slip.

Tanzid and Liton who both played crucial role in Bangladesh's first ever T20
series victory against Sri Lanka last week, made 1 each.

Pakistan could have tightened the grip had Abrar not dropped Towhid Hridoy
early in the innings at third man off Fahim Ashraf.

Thereafter Mohammad Haris missed a direct hit that would have got Hridoy as
he was well short of the crease.

Emon and Hridoy then played almost chanceless innings to pave the platform of
the victory.

Abbas Afridi broke the partnership by dismissing Hridoy when Bangladesh was
31 runs away from the victory.

After getting out for duck in his last two innings, Emon raised his second
fifty by pulling Fahim Ashraf for a six over deep mid-wicket from 34 balls as
Bangladesh reached 100.

Jaker Ali, unbeaten on 15, confirmed the victory, pulling Salman Mirza for a
boundary through mid-wicket.

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 took
two wickets for just six runs in four overs after Liton Das opted to bowl
first.

Opener Fakhar Zaman who survived twice made team-best 44 off 34 with six
fours and one six. Abbas Afridi chipped-in-with 22 and 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 offspiner Mahedi Hasan a wicket.

Taskin amended immediately, having taken the wicket of Saim Ayub with a back-
of-length delivery and Mahedi got the reward of his persistency in the next
over by getting rid of Mohammad Haris.

Captain Salman Agha threw his wicket after playing a rash shot while
Mustafizur baffled Hasan Nawaz with his mysterious cutter.
Pakistan was further jolted when Mohammad Nawaz and Fakhar were trapped run
out.

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