With the T20I series already secured, Bangladesh seized the opportunity to experiment. In a rare show of rotation, the hosts made five changes to their playing eleven for the third and final match against Pakistan at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
This level of rotation is virtually unseen in recent Bangladesh cricket. Regulars like Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman were all rested. Into the side came Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed and Nasum Ahmed.
The decision was bold, but the results were far from one-sided.
Farhan fires at the top
After sitting out the first two games, Sahibzada Farhan grabbed his chance with authority. He blasted a 29-ball half-century, forming a powerful opening partnership of 82 runs with Saim Ayub.
Pakistan had missed this spark in the earlier matches. Farhan’s crisp strokeplay suggested a 200-plus total was within reach, but left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed turned the tide.
Back in T20I colours for the first time since July 2023, Nasum first dismissed Saim and later claimed Farhan’s wicket after dropping him earlier. His tidy spell of four overs for just 22 runs and two wickets provided Bangladesh with a much-needed anchor in the middle overs.
Mixed day for pace pair
Taskin Ahmed’s return was eventful. The right-arm pacer struck three times but also leaked 38 runs in his four overs. His economy rate hovered above nine as he struggled with his rhythm at times.
Saifuddin’s numbers looked tidy at a glance. He finished with 4-0-28-2, and his first three overs were extremely tight, costing just nine runs. However, his final over, the 19th of the innings, proved costly. Two sixes and 19 runs undid much of his earlier good work.
Miraz shelled, Tanzid tamed
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was handed the ball shortly after the Powerplay. However, after conceding two sixes in his very first over to Farhan, he was not brought back into the attack.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim had a brief and forgettable outing. Facing his second ball, he gloved a sharp rising delivery from debutant Salman Mirza to the wicketkeeper. It was a tame dismissal that left Bangladesh effectively one down in the opening over.
Lessons from rotation
While the match ended in defeat for Bangladesh, the bigger picture was one of assessment and future planning. Nasum’s impressive return gave the selectors a strong reminder of his utility. Saifuddin and Taskin showed flashes of skill, though both remain works in progress after recent layoffs.
On the other hand, Tanzid failed to capitalise on a rare start and Miraz’s brief spell raised more questions than answers.
