The T20I series in Dhaka lit up with drama and history, as Bangladesh pulled off a thrilling win over Pakistan in the second match at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Bowled out for a modest 133, the home side roared back with the ball, led by a fiery spell from left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, who claimed 3 for 17. The effort helped Bangladesh bowl out Pakistan for 125 and sealed their first-ever T20I series victory against Pakistan.
Put into bat, Bangladesh’s innings got off to a rocky start. The top order collapsed under pressure, losing four wickets inside the powerplay. However, wicketkeeper-batsman Jaker Ali produced a counterattacking innings under pressure, scoring 55 from 48 balls. His knock included five sixes and helped Bangladesh recover from 28/4 to post a total that gave their bowlers something to defend. Mahedi Hasan played the anchor role with a steady hand, adding a crucial 22 and forming a 53-run partnership with Jaker that turned the momentum ever so slightly.
Despite the modest total, Bangladesh came out with fierce intensity in the field. The match turned early in the chase when Shoriful Islam ripped through Pakistan’s top order. He dismissed Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Haris in successive overs, while opener Saim Ayub was run out cheaply. Tanzim Hasan Sakib added to the chaos by removing key middle-order batters, leaving Pakistan in tatters at 15 for 5 by the fifth over.
What seemed like an easy chase quickly turned into a survival mission for Pakistan. Veteran all-rounder Faheem Ashraf tried to resurrect the innings with a valiant 51 off 32 deliveries, laced with power and intent. He found brief support from Abbas Afridi, and the pair stitched together a 41-run stand for the ninth wicket that brought the game to the brink.
But Bangladesh kept their composure. Spinner Rishad Hossain broke the stand, dismissing Faheem in the penultimate over. Mustafizur Rahman then wrapped things up, sealing an eight-run win that sparked wild celebrations in the Bangladeshi camp.
This victory marks a major milestone for Bangladesh in T20I cricket. Not only is it their first series win over Pakistan in the format, but it also reflects the rise of a younger, more aggressive bowling unit led by Shoriful and Tanzim. The composure they showed while defending a low total under pressure is indicative of the team’s evolution in white-ball cricket.
For Pakistan, the loss raises serious questions about their batting depth and temperament under pressure. While Faheem’s knock stood out, the top-order collapse was too much to recover from. With one match left in the series, Pakistan will aim to save face, while Bangladesh eyes a historic 3-0 sweep on home soil.
The win in Dhaka isn’t just about the numbers on the scoreboard—it’s a statement from a team growing in confidence, skill, and belief.