Bangladesh suffer 37-run defeat to Pakistan in T20 series opener

Bangladesh continued their poor run in the T20 format, suffering a 37-run defeat to Pakistan in the opening game of the three-match series at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 202, Bangladesh were bowled out for 164 in 19.2 overs after yet another dismal batting display.

This was their third consecutive defeat in T20s, following two losses against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month.

Skipper Liton Das top-scored with a 30-ball 48, hitting one four and three sixes, and kept Bangladesh in the hunt. However, his dismissal triggered a collapse from which the team never recovered.

Jaker Ali Anik scored 36, while opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim added 31. Tanzid gave Bangladesh a flying start with two fours and three sixes, despite Parvez Hossain Emon falling cheaply. But a rash shot led to Tanzid’s dismissal, after which Liton and Towhid Hridoy tried to stabilize the innings. Although Hridoy played a slow-paced knock, Liton’s aggressive approach compensated to some extent.

The 63-run partnership between Liton and Hridoy was broken when Shadab Khan dismissed the captain. After his departure, Bangladesh lost their last seven wickets for just 64 runs, failing to put up any meaningful resistance.

Earlier, Pakistan recovered from a shaky 8-2 to post a commanding total of 201-7. Skipper Agha Salman led from the front with a 34-ball 56, including eight fours and a six.

Building on the platform set by Salman, Shadab Khan smashed 48 off 25 balls, while Hasan Nawaz blasted 44 off just 22 deliveries, propelling the total beyond 200.

Pakistan chose to bat first and suffered early setbacks. Mahedi Hasan struck in the first over, removing Saim Ayub for a golden duck. In the next over, pacer Shoriful Islam dismissed Fakhar Zaman for one, leaving Pakistan reeling at 8-2.

However, Salman launched a counterattack, supported by the aggressive Mohammad Haris. The pair added 48 off 25 balls before Tanzim Hasan Sakib dismissed Haris for 31, caught by Tanzid Hasan Tamim at long-on.

Hasan Nawaz continued the assault until Hasan Mahmud dismissed Salman shortly after he reached his third T20I half-century, ending a 65-run partnership.

Rishad Hossain offered a brief glimmer of hope for Bangladesh by removing Nawaz with a return catch, but Shadab Khan kept the momentum going with his aggressive stroke play.

Shoriful Islam denied Shadab a fifty by dismissing him in the penultimate delivery. Shadab struck five fours and two sixes in his innings.

For Bangladesh, Shoriful was the most successful bowler, finishing with 2-32 in three overs.