Jaker Ali’s gritty 55 off 48 balls helped Bangladesh post a fighting total of 133 after a dramatic top-order collapse against Pakistan in the second T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on 22 July 2025.
Coming in at a precarious 28 for 4, Jaker’s composed innings, highlighted by two sixes in the final over, lifted Bangladesh to a respectable score before they were bowled out on the final delivery of the innings.
Earlier in the evening, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to field first. Before announcing his decision, he expressed condolences for those affected by the tragic incident at Milestone College, which cast a sombre tone over the match. Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect, and a minute’s silence was observed before play began.
Bangladesh, who led the three-match series 1–0 going into this game, made two changes to their XI from the opening win. Mohammad Naim replaced Tanzid Hasan at the top of the order, while pacer Shoriful Islam came in for Taskin Ahmed, who was rested. Pakistan made one change as well, handing a debut to pacer Ahmed Daniyal in place of spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Speaking at the toss, Bangladesh captain Litton Das said:
“We all know what happened yesterday. It has been very difficult for us. It’s not easy to accept. Today we are playing with heavy hearts. As a parent myself, I deeply feel the pain. Everyone is heartbroken and emotional at this moment. All we can do now is pray.
Speaking of the match, we will definitely give our best to win the series and maintain momentum. The wicket looks good for batting, and I don’t mind batting first.”
Despite a good-looking surface, Bangladesh’s innings got off to a disastrous start. They managed just 28 runs in the powerplay, losing four key wickets in the process. Mohammad Naim was the first to go, caught trying to loft Fahim Ashraf. Captain Litton Das followed soon after, dismissed for 8 while attempting a big shot off Salman Mirza. Towhid Hridoy was run out without scoring, and Parvez Hossain, who made a match-winning fifty in the first game, departed for 13 after a brief counter-attack.
At 28 for 4 in the sixth over, Bangladesh were in serious trouble, but Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan staged a crucial fightback. The pair added 53 runs for the fifth wicket, Bangladesh’s highest fifth-wicket stand in T20Is against Pakistan, surpassing the 44-run partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Nasir Hossain in 2014. Mahedi was the aggressor early on, striking a 92-metre six off Khushdil Shah and scoring a handy 33 off 25 balls before falling to Mohammad Nawaz.
Once Mahedi departed, wickets continued to tumble. Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, and Rishad Hossain all fell in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh at 120 for 8 with one over remaining. Jaker, still holding the innings together, launched Abbas Afridi for two sixes in the final over, bringing up his maiden T20I fifty. However, he was dismissed off the final delivery, scoreing 55 off 48 deliveries, a knock that consisted of 1 four and 5 sixes, gave Bangladesh something to defend on a tricky pitch.