Bangladesh posted a moderate total of 127 for seven in the first T20I match of three-match series against Pakistan on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Afif Hossain was the highest runs getter scoring 36, while Mahedi Hasan scored 30 and Nurul Hasan added 28.
Despite drastic changes to the playing XI, Bangladesh failed to register a solid start as they lost both the openers inside three overs.
Mohammad Naim, Bangladesh’s most successful T20 opener recent times, was removed by Hassan Ali off the first ball of the second over of the innings. It was a delivery outside off stump, Naim went for a drive but without any foot movement. He only managed an edge to the wicketkeeper.
In the next over, Saif Hassan perished to Mohammad Washim after a dismal debut of scoring one off eight balls. He also missed the foot movement while prodding the ball to Fakhar Zaman at the first slip.
Najmul Hossain Shanto came to bat at number three but failed once again. He scored only 7 off 14 balls. He was also haunted by Mohammad Wasim.
Bangladesh’s first boundary came only in 5.1 overs – a four off Haris Rauf by the number five Afif.
Bangladesh managed only 25 runs for three wickets in the powerplay— another lean show by the Tigers in the first six overs in the T20Is.
Afif was the only batter to show some resistance against the quality bowling attack of Pakistan who overlooked Shaheen Afridi in this match. Afif fell as the fifth wicket scoring 36 off 34 with two fours and two sixes.
Before his dismissal, Bangladesh also lost the captain Mahmudullah Riyad for six off 11 balls.
In 15 overs, Bangladesh posted 80 for 5. In the last five overs, Bangladesh added 47 runs losing two more wickets.
Mahedi and Nurul scored 30 and 28 respectively. These two batters also put up the biggest partnership of the innings— 35 off 24 balls.
Bangladesh eventually reached 127 for seven in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali bagged three wickets conceding 24 runs. It was his first T20I after missing a match-deciding catch in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup against Australia. Mohammad Wasim scalped two wickets conceding 24 runs.
Source: United News of Bangladesh