How did Bangladesh secure a 7-wicket win over Pakistan in the first T20I?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 110 runs.
- Taskin Ahmed was the standout bowler with 3 wickets.
- Parvez Hossain Emon anchored the chase with 56 not out.
- A strong partnership between Emon and Hridoy was pivotal.
- Bangladesh leads the series 1-0.
Dhaka, July 20 (NationPress) Bangladesh achieved a decisive seven-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the inaugural T20I at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, establishing a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series. Opting to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in the final over. Fakhar Zaman was the standout performer with a fluent 44, while Mohammad Abbas Afridi (22) and Khushdil Shah (17) were the only other batsmen to score in double figures.
The visitors began their innings positively but faltered dramatically, losing nine wickets for just 78 runs. The last four wickets tumbled for a mere seven runs as Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened their control.
Taskin Ahmed spearheaded the bowling attack with three wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman added two more. Their disciplined bowling was complemented by sharp fielding that kept Pakistan under constant pressure.
In reply, Bangladesh comfortably chased down the modest target in 15.3 overs, finishing at 111/3. Opener Parvez Hossain Emon excelled with an unbeaten 56, anchoring the innings with both confidence and power. He forged a significant 73-run partnership for the third wicket with Towhid Hridoy, who contributed a solid 36. This partnership steadied the chase following the early loss of two wickets.
For Pakistan, debutant left-arm pacer Salman Mirza made an impression with two early breakthroughs, concluding his spell with figures of 2 for 23. Abbas Afridi claimed the other wicket with a tidy performance.
This victory allows Bangladesh to take a deserved lead in the series, with the second T20I scheduled at the same venue on July 22.
Bangladesh is engaging in this brief three-match T20I series against Pakistan fresh off an all-format series in Sri Lanka. They faced a 1-0 defeat in the two-match Test series, lost the ODI series 1-2, but triumphed 2-1 in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 110 all out in 19.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 44, Abbas Afridi 22, Khushdil Shah 22; Taskin Ahmed 3-22, Mustafizur Rahman 2-6) lost to Bangladesh 112/3 in 15.3 overs (Parvez Hossain Emon 56 not out, Towhid Hridoy 36; Salman Mirza 2-23) by seven wickets.