Bangladesh made a strong start in the first ODI against Pakistan at the Sher e Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Fast bowler Nahid Rana led the charge with a brilliant spell.
This match marked Bangladesh’s first international game after 99 days.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and chose to bowl first. He said dew could play a role later in the match.
Pakistan fielded four debutants in the match. Their top three were all playing their first ODI. Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain opened the batting for the visitors.
Pakistan began with a steady start. Farhan and Sadaqat added 41 runs for the first wicket. But Nahid Rana broke the stand.
Farhan tried to deal with Rana’s sharp bounce but could not control the ball. He was dismissed for 27.
Rana struck again soon after. Another debutant, Shamyl Hussain, also failed to handle the bounce and pace.
The fast bowler kept attacking with short balls and speed. The Pakistan batters struggled to get on top of the bounce. Rana took two more wickets in quick time.
He completed his five wicket haul in the 18th over. Rana dismissed Salman Ali Agha to reach the landmark.
It was his maiden five wicket haul in ODI cricket. He achieved it in only five overs. At the end of 18 overs, Pakistan were struggling at 69 for 5.
