1st T20I 2025: Pakistan Outclasses Bangladesh in Final Over Thriller

The cricketing world witnessed an electrifying clash as Pakistan took on Bangladesh in the 1st T20 International of the 2025 series. Held at a packed stadium with roaring fans from both nations, the match turned out to be a perfect example of the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket. 

Match Overview

The 1st T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh kicked off in style, setting the tone for the rest of the series. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry surface that promised runs but also had something in it for the spinners.

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Bangladesh Innings – A Steady Start, Explosive Finish

The Bangladesh openers started cautiously, focusing on building a strong foundation. Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar opened the innings and handled the new ball well. Their partnership of 42 runs in the first six overs gave Bangladesh a decent start.

However, once the powerplay ended, Pakistan’s bowlers tightened the grip. Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah broke through in the middle overs, removing key batters like Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan cheaply.

Just when it looked like Bangladesh would end up with a below-par score, Afif Hossain and Mahmudullah stepped up. Their 56-run partnership in the last 5 overs helped Bangladesh post a competitive total of 159/6 in 20 overs.

Top Scorers for Bangladesh:

• Afif Hossain – 39* (22 balls)
• Liton Das – 34 (25 balls)
• Mahmudullah – 28 (15 balls)

Best Bowlers for Pakistan:

• Shadab Khan – 2/26
• Naseem Shah – 1/20
• Haris Rauf – 1/35

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Pakistan’s Chase – A Roller-Coaster Ride

In reply, Pakistan’s openers Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub began aggressively. The duo put on 55 runs in the first six overs, punishing the Bangladeshi bowlers with ease. Rizwan’s timing and Saim’s fearless strokeplay thrilled the home fans.

However, Bangladesh struck back through Shoriful Islam, removing both openers in quick succession. This brought Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed to the crease. While Babar played a captain’s knock with calm composure, Iftikhar went on the offensive, hitting big sixes over long-on and midwicket.

With 20 runs needed off the last two overs, the match swung back in Bangladesh’s favor briefly as Mustafizur Rahman bowled a brilliant 19th over, conceding just 5 runs.

In the final over, Pakistan needed 15 runs. Under pressure, Babar Azam finished the match in style, hitting two consecutive sixes and sealing the win with 2 balls to spare.

Pakistan chased down 160, finishing at 162/5 in 19.4 overs.

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Key Moments of the Match

1. Afif-Mahmudullah’s death-over fireworks gave Bangladesh a respectable total.
2. Shadab Khan’s brilliant spell in the middle overs halted Bangladesh’s momentum.
3. Rizwan and Saim’s explosive start gave Pakistan an edge early in the chase.
4. Babar Azam’s match-winning finishing touches proved his value as captain and finisher.

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Player of the Match

Babar Azam was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 46* off 31 balls under pressure. His calm approach and big hits in the final over made all the difference.

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What This Win Means for Pakistan

This victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the 3-match T20I series. More importantly, it showed the team’s ability to handle pressure situations and finish games, which will be crucial ahead of the T20 World Cup.

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What’s Next?

The teams will now move to the next venue for the 2nd T20I, where Bangladesh will be eager to bounce back and level the series. With both sides showcasing talent and fighting spirit, fans can expect another thrilling encounter.

The 1st T20I between Pakistan and Bangladesh lived up to the hype. From explosive batting to tight bowling and a nerve-wracking finish, the match had everything a cricket lover could ask for. As the series progresses, both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies and give fans more reasons to cheer.

Stay tuned for more updates, match previews, and post-match analysis from the Pakistan vs Bangladesh series!