DHAKA, July 22, 2025 (BSS)- Pakistan Captain Salman Agha said the wretched batting display in the first powerplay (first six overs of the game) led them to an eight-run defeat to Bangladesh in the second T20 International today at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The defeat consigned Pakistan to first ever T20 series defeat to Bangladesh. Earlier, they lost the first game by seven wickets. 

“The way we started bowling in the powerplay, we could have gotten like 10 fewer runs, but that's the way cricket goes,” Salman said after the match.

“But 130 (133) was what we thought we had under control, but the way we batted in the power play, I think that needs to be improved.”

Chasing a victory target of 134, after Bangladesh put on 133 all out in 20 overs, Pakistan were dismissed for 125 in 19.2 overs. Top six batters of Pakistan were out for single-digits before Faheem Ashraf guided the lower order to take the match to the last over. Ashraf made 51 off 32.

“Salman Mirza and Daniyal -- both bowled really well. Salman bowled really well in both games, and then Daniyal came in this game and bowled outstandingly well. And they batted really well as well,” Salman Agha said. 

“He (Daniyal) almost took the game away from them, but yeah, they are one for the future. We want to bat well as a top order, and this is something we need to look at,” he said, hailing the effort of Faheem Ashraf.
“And then, 15-5 (in the first six overs), and then bringing that game to that deep is just outstanding. The way Faheem batted. I think it's outstandingly well; he almost took the game away from them, but that's how cricket goes.”

“But hats off to him (Faheem Ashraf) for the way he batted. That's what we are as a team. We don't want to give up. This is what we are bringing to this team.”

Salman said the team showed the character despite losing the game.

 “We don't want to give up no matter what situation we are in. We always think we can win the game. And that belief is in our team now, and the way we played after, like, 15-5, I think, is outstanding. “

“This is the kind of belief I want from my team, and, it's a thriller, and I think you can say that it's worth the money for this game to watch it."