MIRPUR, Bangladesh: Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in the third and final One Day International to clinch the three-match series 2-1 on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Chasing a target of 291, Pakistan were bowled out for 279 in their allotted 50 overs after early wickets left them struggling from the start.
Despite a fighting century by Salman Ali Agha, Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve to seal victory in the series decider.
Early blows derail Pakistan chase
Pakistan’s chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost both openers inside the first two overs.
Taskin Ahmed struck on the fifth ball of the first over, dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for six.
Soon after, Nahid Rana removed Maaz Sadaqat with a sharp bouncer after the batter had scored six runs, leaving Pakistan at 12-2.
Taskin dealt another blow when he bowled Mohammad Rizwan for four, reducing Pakistan to 21-3 in the early stages.
Debutant Ghazi Ghori and Abdul Samad attempted to stabilise the innings with a 50-run partnership.
However, Rana broke the stand by dismissing Ghori for 29.
Pakistan slipped further when Samad was removed by Mustafizur Rahman after scoring 34.
Agha’s century keeps Pakistan in hunt
With Pakistan under pressure, Salman Ali Agha and debutant Saad Masood rebuilt the innings with a steady partnership.
The pair added 79 runs before Mustafizur dismissed Masood for 38.
Agha continued to anchor the innings and brought up his 10th ODI half-century before accelerating the scoring.
The right-hander later reached a superb century, scoring 106 off 98 balls with nine fours and four sixes.
Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi added a crucial 50-run stand that revived Pakistan’s hopes.
However, Taskin struck again to remove Agha and claim his fourth wicket, leaving Pakistan needing quick runs in the closing overs.
Shaheen Afridi kept the chase alive with aggressive hitting, including two sixes off Mustafizur Rahman.
But Bangladesh maintained control in the final overs.
In the last over, Rishad Hossain conceded only two runs and stumped Shaheen Afridi for 37 off the final ball to seal victory for Bangladesh.
Tanzid century powers Bangladesh total
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 290-5 after a strong batting performance led by Tanzid Hasan.
Openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid gave the hosts a solid start with a 105-run partnership. Saif scored 36 before being dismissed by Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi.
Tanzid continued his impressive innings and added another 50-run partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who made 27 before falling to Haris Rauf.
Tanzid reached his maiden ODI century and eventually scored 107 off 107 balls, striking six fours and seven sixes before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed.
In the final overs, Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy added a crucial 68-run stand to push Bangladesh towards a competitive total.
Das scored 41 before being dismissed by Rauf.
Rauf continued his strong spell and also removed Rishad Hossain for a duck. Hridoy remained unbeaten on 48 as Bangladesh finished their innings strongly.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the most successful bowler, taking 3-52 in his 10 overs. Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed picked up one wicket each.
