Bangladesh vs Pakistan (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) NEW DELHI: Bangladesh produced a dominant performance to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the first ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The hosts were excellent with both ball and bat, comfortably chasing down a small target of 115 in just 15.1 overs. It was Bangladesh’s first win over Pakistan since the 2018 Asia Cup, making the victory even more special for the home crowd.
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The match was largely decided during Pakistan’s batting innings. Pakistan got off to a steady start as Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat put on a 41-run opening partnership, but once the first wicket fell, things fell apart quickly. Bangladeshi pacer Nahid Rana produced a fiery spell that completely changed the game and broke through Pakistan’s top and middle order. He took five wickets and could have had a sixth but Bangladesh chose not to review the LBW decision against Faheem Ashraf. Mehidy’s captain Hasan Miraz also played his part with three wickets as Pakistan struggled at regular intervals. Only Faheem Ashraf, who scored 37, offered some resistance in the late innings to push Pakistan to 114 all out in 30.4 overs.Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh made the task look easy. Tanzid Hasan Tamim led the charge with a brilliant 67 and 42 balls, smashing seven fours and five sixes, attacking Pakistan’s spinners with confidence. He was well supported by Najmul Hossain Shanto who added 27 as the pair built a strong partnership to take the game away from Pakistan.Pakistan managed just two wickets during the chase, with Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr claiming one each, but the bowlers failed to put any real pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen. Bangladesh eventually sealed a comfortable win and inflicted a heavy defeat on Pakistan to open the three-match series.
