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