Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by four wickets after giving a plucky fight in their first Twenty20 International (T20I) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Friday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up 127 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan reached the winning target making 132 for the loss of six wickets when they had four balls to spare.
Bangladesh lost their early four wickets for 40 runs.
Later, wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan Sohan and Mahedi Hasan built the only notable partnership for the hosts contributing together 35 runs in the sixth wicket stand before Nurul Hasan was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Hasan Ali when Bangladesh’s score was 96 for the loss of six wickets.
Mahedi Hasan remained unbeaten with 30 runs. His 20-ball innings was laced with two sixes and one four.
Earlier, Afif Hasan top-scored with 36 runs. He hit two fours and two sixes in his 34-ball knock.
Nurul Hasan made 28 from 22 balls featuring two sixes.
Hasan Ali grabbed three wickets at the cost of 22 runs, while Mohammad Wasim bagged two wickets in the space of 24 runs.
Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each for 20 and 27 runs respectively.
Later, Pakistan faced an early collapse as they lost four wickets for just 24 runs.
Then, Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah rescued their team from early debacle adding together 56 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Fakhar Zaman was caught behind by Nurul Hasan off Taskin Ahmed when Pakistan’s score was 80 for the loss of five wickets.
After Fakhar’s dismissal, Khushdil Shah could
stay at the crease for a short period as he was caught behind by Nurul Hasan off Shoriful Islam when the visitors’ total was 96 for the loss of six wickets.
Khushdil Shah notched up 34. He hit three fours and a sixer in his 35-ball innings.
Fakhar Zaman hit 34. His 36-ball innings saw four fours. After Khushdil’s departure, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz helped their team to overhaul the winning target.
Shadab Khan remained unbeaten with 21, while Mohammad Nawaz remained unbeaten with 18 runs.
Pacer Taskin Ahmed captured two wickets at the cost of 31 runs, while Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam took one wicket each for 17, 26 and 31 runs respectively. Hasan Ali was adjudged the Man of the Match.
