Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 runs in the first T20I against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, their lowest-ever total in the format against the hosts.
This total broke their previous low of 129 for 7 set during the 2016 Asia Cup, also in Mirpur.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to field, finally ending a streak of nine consecutive toss losses in T20Is. The home side made one change from their last outing against Sri Lanka, bringing in pacer Taskin Ahmed in place of Shoriful Islam. Pakistan handed a debut to Salman Mirza.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a shaky start. Despite Fakhar Zaman being dropped on 4 in the first over by Taskin at short fine leg, the visitors never gained momentum. Saim Ayub (6 off 4) was the first to fall, caught at deep fine leg off Taskin in the second over.
Mahedi Hasan struck in the fourth over, removing Mohammad Haris for just 4. Haris, who had tormented Bangladesh with a 106-run blitz in Lahore last month, couldn’t replicate his form and was caught at deep midwicket by Shamim Hossain. Captain Salman fell shortly after for 3, edging to Litton Das off Tanzim Hasan.
By the end of the powerplay, Pakistan had slumped to 41 for 4. Hasan Nawaz added to the woes, scoring a duck before holing out to Rishad Hossain off Mustafizur Rahman in the sixth over.
The collapse continued after the powerplay. Mohammad Nawaz (5) was run out by a direct hit from Mehidy in the 8th over, reducing Pakistan to 46 for 5. The innings went 26 consecutive balls without a boundary between overs 5 and 9, with Shamim Hossain conceding just two runs in his first over.
Fakhar Zaman, who was dropped twice, was run out in the 14th over after a mix-up with Khushdil Shah. He top-scored with 44 off 34 balls, hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes. The innings was briefly lifted by Abbas Afridi, who struck two consecutive sixes off Tanzim in the 16th over as Pakistan crossed 100. However, Khushdil’s departure, caught by Rishad off Mustafizur in the 17th over, left Pakistan reeling at 109 for 7.
Pakistan entered the final over at 110 for 7, but their innings ended in dramatic fashion as they lost three wickets in three balls to be bowled out. Faheem Ashraf was caught by Mehidy off the first ball, debutant Salman Mirza was run out next ball, and Abbas Afridi was caught by Litton Das on the third.
Mustafizur Rahman was the standout performer with the ball, registering a new Bangladesh record for the most economical full spell in a T20I. He finished with figures of 4–0–6–2, surpassing his own previous best of 7 runs in 4 overs.
Tanzim Hasan and Taskin Ahmed also impressed, returning figures of 1 for 20 and 1 for 24 respectively. Mehidy picked up 2 for 37 despite being expensive early on, while Rishad bowled a tidy spell, conceding only 18 runs.
