Dhaka | July 20, 2025:
Bangladesh stunned Pakistan with a commanding seven-wicket win in the opening T20I of the series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. The victory wasn’t just any win — it was a statement. Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for the first time ever in T20Is, restricting them to a meagre 110 before comfortably chasing it down with more than four overs to spare.
🔥 Fast Bowlers Set the Tone
Opting to field first on a surface offering early movement, Bangladesh’s pace duo of Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed were unplayable at times. Mustafizur, using his trademark cutters and precise yorkers, picked up two wickets for just six runs in his full quota of four overs — including a rare maiden in the death overs. His spell squeezed the life out of Pakistan’s lower order.
Taskin Ahmed, meanwhile, provided the early breakthroughs Pakistan feared. Bowling with pace and accuracy, he removed the dangerous top-order pair of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam cheaply, ending with figures of 3 for 18. Together, the pair dismantled Pakistan’s batting plans from the inside out.
⚡ Pakistan’s Lone Resistance
Pakistan’s innings offered little to cheer apart from Fakhar Zaman, who tried to hold the innings together with a fluent 44 off 36 balls. He played some delightful strokes but found little support at the other end. Once he fell trying to accelerate, Pakistan’s innings unraveled quickly — losing six wickets for just 28 runs in the final stretch.
🎯 Emon Anchors the Chase
Chasing 111 was never going to be a mammoth task — but early nerves surfaced when Bangladesh lost two quick wickets inside four overs. However, young opener Parvez Hossain Emon showed composure beyond his years. He steered the chase with an unbeaten 56 off 39 balls, mixing steady singles with powerful shots over the infield.
He found an able partner in Towhid Hridoy, who added a run-a-ball 36. Together, they stitched a match-defining stand that sucked any remaining fight out of Pakistan’s attack. Emon fittingly finished the chase with a crisp boundary through cover, sealing the win with 27 balls remaining.
🏅 Player of the Match
Parvez Hossain Emon’s calm, match-winning half-century earned him the Player of the Match award, but the groundwork laid by Mustafizur and Taskin ensured his job was straightforward.
🗣️ Captain’s Words
After the win, Bangladesh’s captain praised the team’s discipline, saying the bowlers stuck to their plan and the batters showed maturity on a tricky pitch. He added that the win should inspire the team to push for a series whitewash.
🔜 What’s Next
Bangladesh now lead the three-match series 1-0 and will be brimming with confidence when they face Pakistan again in the second T20I in two days. Pakistan’s camp, on the other hand, has plenty to reflect on — especially their brittle middle order and lack of depth in the death overs.
