Bangladesh secured the three-match ODI series 2-1 after a tense third encounter to register an 11-run victory over Pakistan. Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s maiden ODI century laid the platform for the hosts, while their pace attack struck early to put Pakistan on the back foot. Although Salman Agha mounted a spirited fightback with a century, Bangladesh ultimately prevailed in a dramatic finish.
Tanzid’s ton anchors Bangladesh innings
After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh’s openers provided a solid start by putting together a century stand. Tanzid signalled his aggressive intent early, striking Haris Rauf for both a four and a six in the second over. Boundaries flowed regularly during the Powerplay, though Pakistan managed to limit the damage despite limited assistance for the seamers and even burned an early review in pursuit of a breakthrough.
Bangladesh briefly accelerated after the fielding restrictions were lifted, collecting 11 and 15 runs in the 11th and 12th overs respectively. However, the tempo dipped soon after as the batters rotated strike against the spinners while finding the boundary sporadically.
Tanzid reached his half-century in the 16th over off just 47 deliveries and continued his charge with a six and a four across the next two overs. The opening partnership of 105 ended in the 19th over when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Saif Hassan. Bangladesh remained well placed, building another 53-run stand between Tanzid and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Even after Shanto fell lbw to Rauf, Bangladesh were comfortably positioned at 160/2 after 30 overs. Tanzid completed his maiden ODI hundred in style in the 33rd over, advancing down the track to loft Salman Agha over long-off.
More Read
A total beyond 300 appeared within reach, but the expected late acceleration did not materialise. As the ball aged and began to grip, Pakistan’s spinners tightened control. Tanzid was eventually dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the 37th over, and Litton Das along with Towhid Hridoy struggled to increase the scoring rate. Nevertheless, sharp running and occasional boundary opportunities ensured the scoreboard kept moving.
Their 68-run partnership ended when Das holed out in the 47th over, with Rishad Hossain falling off the next delivery. Hridoy struck key boundaries in the 48th over and, alongside Afif Hossain, guided Bangladesh to 290/5, remaining unbeaten on 48.
Early strikes put Pakistan on the back foot
Pakistan’s chase faltered from the outset as they lost three wickets inside the first three overs. Sahibzada Farhan edged behind off Taskin Ahmed after being surprised by extra bounce, while Maaz Sadaqat also fell in similar fashion after hitting an early six. Taskin then bowled Mohammad Rizwan with an in-swinging delivery, leaving Pakistan struggling at 17/3.
More Read
Debutant Ghazi Ghori counterattacked confidently, launching a six and a four off Nahid Rana, while Abdul Samad supported with consecutive boundaries. The pair added 50 runs to steady the innings, though their partnership was marked by several close run-out chances.
Ghori’s resistance ended in the 14th over when he chopped on off Rana, and Samad followed soon after, edging Mustafizur Rahman in the 17th over. With Pakistan reduced to 82/5, Salman Agha emerged as the key figure in their revival. He first shared a 79-run partnership with Saad Masood before adding another 48 runs alongside Faheem Ashraf.
Agha managed the rising required rate with well-timed boundaries while his partners played supporting roles. He brought up his half-century with a six off Rishad in the 36th over and continued his resistance even as Pakistan slipped to 209/7 after Ashraf’s dismissal in the 40th over.
Like his fifty, Agha reached his third ODI hundred with a six in the 44th over, reducing the equation to 45 runs needed from the final five overs. Bangladesh still maintained the upper hand but were guilty of fielding lapses as pressure mounted.
Agha was dismissed in the 48th over, holing out to a slower delivery from Taskin. Pakistan required 28 from the final two overs when Shaheen Afridi struck Mustafizur for two sixes. The left-arm pacer was then struck painfully on his left knee but recovered to claim a wicket with the last ball of his over.
Dramatic final over seals Bangladesh win
With 14 required off the last over from Rishad, the contest remained finely poised. Shaheen miscued a slog-sweep off the second delivery, sending the ball high into the air, but Rishad failed to complete the chance while running back.
More Read
After a couple of runs and a dot ball, more drama followed. With 12 needed from two deliveries, Shaheen attempted another slog-sweep and appeared to miss, prompting umpire Kumar Dharmasena to signal a wide. Bangladesh protested, claiming contact with the bat, and opted for a review. UltraEdge revealed a spike near the bat, forcing Dharmasena to overturn the wide decision while keeping the batter not out as the ball had bounced after contact.
The match eventually ended with Shaheen being stumped off the final ball, handing Bangladesh a narrow victory and the series.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 290/5 in 50 overs (Tanzid Hasan Tamim 107, Towhid Hridoy 48*; Haris Rauf 3-52) beat Pakistan 279 all-out in 50 overs (Salman Agha 106; Taskin Ahmed 4-49, Mustafizur Rahman 3-54) by 11 runs.
