Encounters between Bangladesh and Pakistan rarely pass without drama, and the second ODI in Mirpur was no exception. A chaotic run-out involving Salman Agha became the defining moment of the contest, triggering a dramatic collapse from Pakistan after they had built a commanding platform with the bat.
Despite the turbulence, Pakistan still emerged dominant, sealing a convincing 128-run victory via DLS on Friday (March 13). The match had already been charged with intensity before a spell of lightning and a hailstorm added further disruption. With the series now tied at 1-1, the stage is perfectly set for the decider at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.
Sadaqat’s blistering start sets the tone
Asked to bat first once again on a grassy surface, Pakistan began aggressively through Maaz Sadaqat. Playing only his second ODI, the left-handed opener immediately imposed himself, striking Mustafizur Rahman for two boundaries in the second over. He then moved across the crease to launch Taskin Ahmed for two sixes, both behind and in front of square.
Pakistan surged ahead rapidly while Sahibzada Farhan largely played a supporting role. Bangladesh introduced Nahid Rana as early as the fifth over, but the pacer who had starred in the series opener was also taken apart. The visitors raced past the 50-run mark in the seventh over, and Sadaqat plundered Rana for 22 runs in the ninth to reach a 31-ball half-century.
At 85 without loss after the first Powerplay, Pakistan looked unstoppable. However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the opening stand of 103 off the final ball of the 13th over when Sadaqat miscued a scoop and offered a simple catch to the wicket-keeper. His fluent 75 off 46 balls, featuring six fours and five sixes, had provided the early impetus, but his dismissal slowed the scoring rate as only 46 runs came in the following 13 overs.
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Farhan edged to deep third man during this period, while Shamyl Hussain once again fell attempting a hurried pull off Rana. Mohammad Rizwan struggled for rhythm initially, before Salman Agha shifted gears, finding the boundary consistently. His attacking approach restored momentum and brought up a well-compiled half-century, with Rizwan gradually gaining fluency at the other end.
A valuable 109-run stand for the fourth wicket had positioned Pakistan for a sizeable total until a bizarre incident altered the course of the innings. Mehidy collided with Agha at the non-striker’s end while attempting to stop the ball off his own bowling. Agha, still out of his crease, tried to hand the ball back, but Mehidy collected it first and executed an underarm throw to run him out.
An angry Agha departed after exchanging words with the bowler, throwing his gloves and helmet onto the turf. Rizwan fell in the same over, mistiming a slog-sweep to deep mid-wicket, and Pakistan’s innings unravelled quickly. Abdul Samad was run out following a mix-up with Faheem Ashraf as Bangladesh tightened their grip. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain wrapped up the innings, dismissing Pakistan for 274 as they lost seven wickets for just 43 runs.
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Bangladesh stumble in revised chase
Bangladesh’s pursuit began poorly as they slumped to 15 for 3. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan departed cheaply, while Najmul Shanto was bowled for a duck. Hussain Talat briefly left the field with a shoulder injury after attempting to save a boundary.
Soon after, lightning forced players off the field, followed by a hailstorm that further delayed proceedings. Once conditions improved, Bangladesh were set a revised target of 243 in 32 overs.
At the restart, the required rate approached 8.5 per over. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy responded positively, finding boundaries regularly. Das even cleared the ropes twice and survived a difficult chance dropped by Sadaqat at deep backward square leg.
Sadaqat later made amends with the ball, trapping Das leg before with his left-arm spin. Bangladesh’s resistance soon faded as three wickets fell in as many overs, with Sadaqat claiming two more to complete a memorable outing. Any lingering hopes effectively ended when Haris Rauf dismissed Hridoy for 28 in the 20th over.
Rauf finished with three wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for just 114 midway through the 24th over, sealing a comprehensive Pakistan victory.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 274 in 47.3 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 75, Salman Agha 64, Rishad Hossain 3-56, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-34) beat Bangladesh 114 in 23.3 overs (Litton Das 41, Maaz Sadaqat 3-23, Haris Rauf 3-24) by 128 runs via DLS.
