Dhaka, July 20, 2025 – Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by defeating Pakistan in the first T20I of a three-match series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Sunday. The hosts delivered a commanding performance, bowling out Pakistan for a mere 110 runs in 19.3 overs and chasing the target with ease to secure a convincing victory.
Dominant Bowling Display
Bangladesh’s bowlers set the tone for the match after captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to field. Mustafizur Rahman, known as “The Fizz,” led the attack with an exceptional spell, finishing with figures of 2/6 in four overs. His unplayable cutters dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, which struggled on the slow Mirpur pitch. Taskin Ahmed was equally impressive, claiming 3/22 in 3.3 overs, while Tanzim Hasan contributed with 1/20 in his four overs. This marked the first time Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan in a T20I, a significant achievement given Pakistan’s historical dominance, winning 19 of their previous 22 T20I encounters.
Pakistan’s batting faltered early, with five wickets falling within the first eight overs. Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 44 runs, but a series of run-outs and disciplined bowling from Bangladesh ensured Pakistan could not recover. Khushdil Shah and Abbas Afridi provided brief resistance, but the visitors were bundled out for their lowest T20I total against Bangladesh.
Comfortable Chase Led by Emon
Chasing a modest 111, Bangladesh’s openers Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan started confidently. Emon played a match-defining knock, scoring an unbeaten 44, while Jaker Ali’s quickfire 10 not out ensured the hosts crossed the finish line with overs to spare. Despite losing Towhid Hridoy in the 13th over to Abbas Afridi, Bangladesh maintained composure, needing just 26 runs in the final stages to seal the victory.
Captain and Coach’s Perspective
Bangladesh captain Litton Das hailed the victory as a morale booster, emphasizing the team’s disciplined bowling and aggressive batting approach. “This win is huge for us, especially after our success against Sri Lanka. We knew Mirpur’s conditions would suit us, and the bowlers executed their plans perfectly,” Das said post-match. The victory comes on the heels of Bangladesh’s 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, boosting their confidence as they aim to challenge Pakistan’s dominance.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We didn’t adapt well to the conditions. Credit to Bangladesh for their outstanding bowling. We’ll look to bounce back in the next game.” Pakistan, missing key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, fielded a relatively new-look side, with debutant Salman Mirza unable to make a significant impact.
Mirpur’s Pitch and Historical Context
The Shere Bangla National Stadium has historically favored low-scoring T20I encounters, with an average first-innings score of around 125 in night matches. Bangladesh capitalized on their familiarity with the slow and low pitch, where two of their three previous T20I wins against Pakistan had also occurred. This victory marks a significant step for Bangladesh, who have now won four of their last five T20Is, signaling a resurgence in the shortest format.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Bangladesh takes a 1-0 lead in the series, setting the stage for an intriguing second T20I on July 22 at the same venue. Pakistan, who swept Bangladesh 3-0 in a home series in May 2025, will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling further behind. Fans are hopeful that the Tigers can maintain their momentum, while Pakistan will aim to leverage their aggressive batting lineup, including Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris, to stage a comeback.
The match was live-streamed on the FanCode app and website in India, with no television broadcast available. Despite a forecast of rain, the weather held, allowing a full game under cloudy skies.
For Bangladesh, this victory is not just a win but a statement of intent as they build toward the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Tigers’ fans erupted in celebration, hopeful that this triumph marks the beginning of a new era in their T20 journey.
Scorecard and full match details are available on ESPNcricinfo.