MIRPUR: Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana delivered a superb bowling performance, taking five wickets to dismiss Pakistan for just 114 in 30.4 overs in the opening ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Pakistan made a steady start after being put in to bat, with debutant openers Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan putting together a brisk 41-run partnership.
However, the stand ended when Rana removed Farhan for 27 off 38 balls, which included four boundaries, in the final over of the powerplay.
Rana struck again in the 12th over, dismissing another debutant, Shamyl Hussain, who managed just four runs from seven balls, leaving Pakistan at 47-2.
Pakistan’s batting line-up soon began to crumble as Rana continued his impressive spell, sending back Maaz Sadaqat for 18 and Mohammad Rizwan for 10 to reduce the visitors to 64-4.
The pacer claimed his fifth wicket by removing Salman Ali Agha for five, further deepening Pakistan’s troubles.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Bangladesh tightened their grip when Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Abdul Samad for a duck, leaving Pakistan struggling at 70-6.
Miraz then picked up another wicket by removing Hussain Talat for four. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi briefly tried to counterattack with a boundary but was trapped lbw by Miraz after scoring four.
Taskin Ahmed added to Pakistan’s misery by dismissing Wasim Jr for a duck, leaving the tourists in deep trouble.
Faheem Ashraf was the only batter to show resistance, scoring a fighting 37 off 47 balls with six fours and a six to help Pakistan cross the 100-run mark.
However, Mustafizur Rahman eventually dismissed him to bring the innings to an end.
Rana finished with outstanding figures of 5-24 in seven overs, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz supported him with three wickets. Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with one wicket each.
