Parvez Hossain Emon has pushed back at criticism of the Mirpur pitch following Bangladesh’s dominant seven-wicket win in the first T20I, suggesting Pakistan were simply outplayed and failed to adjust to the conditions.
After being bowled out for just 110 in 19.4 overs, Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson and batter Salman Ali Agha both hinted at dissatisfaction with the slow, low-bouncing Sher-e-Bangla track, a venue that has long been the subject of debate in international cricket. But Emon, who struck an unbeaten 56 off 39 balls to steer Bangladesh home with 27 deliveries to spare, was not buying the complaints.
“They couldn’t adapt. We chased 110 inside 16 overs. If we had batted the full 20, we could’ve made 160. So I don’t think it was the pitch,” Emon said at the post-match press conference.
The left-hander, playing only his fourth T20I, struck his second half-century in the format and played a calm hand after Bangladesh lost two wickets early in the chase. Emon added, “We’ve played here more often, so we understand what’s required. It wasn’t an easy pitch, but we adjusted our plans. They couldn’t.”
While some visiting teams have often expressed frustration with the Mirpur surface including India, England, and New Zealand in the past. Bangladesh’s players have also criticised the pitch on occasion. Shakib Al Hasan once described it as “dangerous” for batters, while Litton Das earlier in the series said, “We know the Mirpur wicket very well. We never expect a good wicket here.”
Despite that history, Bangladesh’s batters handled the chase with composure after their bowlers set up the win. Mustafizur Rahman’s spell of 4-0-6-2 was the most economical four-over spell in Bangladesh’s T20I history, beating his own 2 for 7 against Nepal in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Taskin Ahmed also kept things tight, while Rishad Hossain and Shoriful Islam chipped in to keep Pakistan under pressure.
“Mustafizz bhai bowled brilliantly. Everyone else also bowled really well, that’s how we restricted them to such a low score,” Emon said.
Pakistan’s innings never gained momentum, with Fakhar Zaman’s 40 the only meaningful resistance. But once he was dismissed in the 12th over, Bangladesh took control. The loss has left the visitors trailing 0–1 in the three-match series, with the second T20I also set to be played at the same venue.