Lahore, May 29, 2025: After a dominant all-round display in the series opener, Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Friday, May 30, aiming to seal the three-match series under new head coach Mike Hesson.
Pakistan’s victory in the first T20I marked a strong start to the Hesson era. Despite early wickets, Pakistan’s aggressive middle-order—led by Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, and Khushdil Shah—maintained high strike rates and ensured a challenging total of 201, the team’s highest ever at this venue in T20Is.
On the bowling front, Hasan Ali starred with a career-best 5 for 30, dismantling Bangladesh’s chase. His return to form follows an impressive Pakistan Super League campaign and reflects his resurgence after years of struggle. “I’d like to dedicate this performance, above all, to myself,” he said, acknowledging the personal battles behind his comeback.
However, not all was flawless for the hosts. Haris Rauf remained expensive, conceding 36 runs in three overs. Pakistan may consider bringing in Abbas Afridi as a replacement for the second game.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, were outplayed in nearly every department. Their much-vaunted spin attack—Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain—was smashed for 91 runs in 8 overs, while the batting lineup failed to mount a serious challenge. Only Jaker Ali showed some resistance with big hitting at the end, reaffirming his reputation as a rising star and potential candidate for a batting promotion.
Despite the setback, Bangladesh might retain the same XI or reintroduce Najmul Hossain Shanto, hoping for a more cohesive team performance.
Hot and dry weather is expected to persist. A fresh but likely batting-friendly surface will be used again, setting the stage for another high-scoring encounter.
