Bangladesh wrapped up a comfortable win over Pakistan in the first ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. They chased down the small target of 115 in just 15.1 overs to win by 8 wickets.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim led the chase with an attacking knock. He did not allow the Pakistan bowlers to settle at any stage. Tamim reached his half century in just 32 balls and kept the pressure on the fielding side.
Bangladesh lost an early wicket when Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Saif Hassan. The ball moved across Saif was out by a soft dismissal. He scored 4 from 10 balls.
But the early blow did not slow the hosts. Tamim continued to attack and kept finding the gaps. With the target already small, Bangladesh stayed in full control of the chase.
Tamim remained unbeaten on 67 from 42 balls. Bangladesh reached the target in 15.1 overs and sealed the win with eight wickets in hand.
Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for just 114 after Bangladesh chose to field first. It was Bangladesh’s first international match after 99 days.
Pakistan fielded four debutants in the match. The top three included Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain.
Pakistan started well with Farhan and Sadaqat putting together 41 runs for the opening stand. But the innings changed quickly after Nahid Rana struck.
Rana removed Farhan for 27. The batter could not handle the extra bounce from the young fast bowler. Rana then dismissed another debutant Shamyl Hussain with a similar short ball. The Pakistan batters struggled against his pace and bounce.
The fast bowler kept striking. He removed two more batters and completed a five wicket haul by dismissing Salman Ali Agha at the end of the 18th over. It was Rana’s maiden five wicket haul in ODIs. He achieved the feat in just five overs. In the end, Nahid Rana ended with a bowling figure of 5/28 in 7 overs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also played a mentionable role with the ball. He bowled tight lines and kept hitting the stumps. Miraz finished his ten overs with figures of 3 for 28.
Faheem Ashraf was the only batter to offer resistance. He attacked on the on side and tried to lift the total. Faheem scored 37 from 47 balls and took Pakistan past 100.
But Mustafizur Rahman ended his fight. He removed Faheem to finish the innings as Pakistan were all out for 114.
