Dhaka, July 22, 2025: Bangladesh made history on Tuesday by sealing their first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan with a thrilling eight-run victory in the second T20 International at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. The win gave the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The match turned into a gripping contest, anchored by a resilient half-century from wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali and followed by a disciplined bowling display that dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup. Chasing a modest 134-run target, Pakistan were bowled out for 126 on the second ball of the final over.
Pakistan had a dismal start to their innings when opener Saim Ayub was run out for one in the very first over, leaving the visitors reeling at 4/1. The situation rapidly worsened as Pakistan’s middle order collapsed under pressure, losing four more wickets in the space of just 13 balls. By the end of the fifth over, the Green Shirts were struggling at 15/5.
Captain Salman Ali Agha and all-rounder Khushdil Shah attempted to steady the innings with a cautious 15-run partnership, but the stand was broken in the 10th over when Salman fell for nine. Khushdil added another 17 runs with Faheem Ashraf before being dismissed by Mahedi Hasan for 13 off 18 balls, leaving Pakistan at 47/7 in the 12th over, still needing 87 runs off 49 balls.
Faheem Ashraf then led a spirited fightback, forming a crucial 41-run partnership with Abbas Afridi. The pair gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, bringing the equation down to 46 runs required from the last 24 deliveries. However, Shoriful Islam returned to the attack and dismissed Abbas with a clever delivery. Abbas scored a valuable 19 from 13 balls, including two fours and a six.
Faheem continued his counterattack and added 33 runs with debutant Daniyal Ahmed for the ninth wicket. But just as Pakistan looked within reach, Faheem was dismissed by Rishad Hossain on the final ball of the penultimate over. He top-scored with a fighting 51 off 32 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and four sixes.
In a tense finish, Daniyal kept Pakistan alive with a boundary off the first ball of the last over. However, he fell on the very next delivery to Mustafizur Rahman, caught at deep midwicket after scoring a quickfire 17 off 11 balls, decorated with three boundaries.
Shoriful Islam was the pick of Bangladesh’s bowlers, claiming 3 for 17 in four overs. Mahedi Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up two wickets each, while Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first — a decision that paid early dividends as their pace attack rattled the Bangladeshi top order. Faheem Ashraf drew first blood in the second over, removing opener Mohammad Naim for just three runs. Captain Litton Das and Parvez Hossain Emon then stitched a brief 20-run stand before Litton fell for eight. Two more quick wickets followed as Bangladesh slumped to 28/4 in under six overs.
All-rounder Mahedi Hasan and Jaker Ali revived the innings with a stabilizing 53-run stand. Mahedi looked in fine touch before being dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz in the 14th over after scoring 33 off 25, including two fours and two sixes. Jaker Ali held firm at one end, anchoring the tail to push Bangladesh to a defendable 133/8. His gritty 55 came off 48 balls and featured one four and five sixes.
Pakistan’s bowling was shared among debutant Daniyal Ahmed, Abbas Afridi, and Salman Mirza, who all took two wickets each, while Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf added one wicket apiece.
This victory followed Bangladesh’s convincing seven-wicket win in the opening T20I and ensured they clinched the series with a game to spare. The final T20I will now be a chance for Bangladesh to seal a clean sweep, while Pakistan will aim to salvage some pride.
