Bangladesh completed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in Mirpur, chasing 115 runs in just 15.1 overs, marking their biggest win by wickets and balls remaining against their rivals.
Quick bowler Nahid Rana stole the show with a stunning maiden five-wicket haul, dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup early and creating constant pressure that left the visitors reeling throughout their innings.
Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto formed a rapid second-wicket partnership of 82 runs, with Hasan striking seven fours and five sixes to finish unbeaten on 67 from 42 balls.
Rana’s Lightning Spell Dismantles Pakistan
Rana bowled seven overs of pace and bounce, picking up a wicket in each of his first five overs, replicating the dominance he showed in the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan in 2024.
Pakistan, fielding four debutants, their most since 2008, initially found some stability through Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat, who added 41 runs for the opening stand before Rana claimed Farhan in the tenth over.
Shamyl Hussain and Sadaqat were soon dismissed by short deliveries from Rana, leaving Pakistan struggling at 55 for three, while Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha briefly resisted before succumbing to similar aggressive bowling.
Bangladesh Batting Shows Firepower
Bangladesh’s chase started aggressively, with Tanzid and Shanto targeting wayward deliveries from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf, hitting multiple boundaries and sixes to establish dominance early in the innings.
After 10 overs, Bangladesh stood at 81 for one, recording their second-highest score after the first powerplay in ODIs against Pakistan, effectively removing any hope of a Pakistani comeback during the chase.
Hasan reached his fifty off just 32 balls, continuing big-hitting with multiple sixes off Abrar Ahmed and Salman Agha, while Shanto contributed quickly before edging to the wicketkeeper as a consolation for Pakistan.
Supporting Bowlers Seal the Win
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three wickets, while Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman claimed one each, ensuring Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in just the 31st over of their innings.
Faheem Ashraf top-scored with 37, adding 32 runs for the final wicket with Abrar Ahmed, but Bangladesh’s relentless bowling attack left Pakistan completely outplayed from the start to the end of the match.
Bangladesh achieved the 115-run target in just 15.1 overs, winning by eight wickets, as Mirpur witnessed the shortest ODI between these two nations in terms of total overs bowled.
