Dhaka, Bangladesh – In a commanding display of bowling prowess, Bangladesh restricted Pakistan to a paltry 110 runs in 19.3 overs during the first T20 International at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday, July 20, 2025. Bangladesh skipper Litton Das won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid rich dividends as his bowlers ran riot through the Pakistani batting lineup.
Pakistan’s innings was marked by a rapid collapse, losing four wickets within the powerplay and reaching 45 for 5 at one point, as reported by Times Now News. Fakhar Zaman emerged as the lone warrior for Pakistan, battling to a resilient 44 runs before his luck ran out, falling agonizingly short of a half-century. His efforts, however, were not enough to stem the tide of wickets, with miscommunication leading to crucial run-outs, including that of Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz, further deepening Pakistan’s woes.
The Bangladeshi pace attack, led by Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, proved to be the architects of Pakistan’s downfall. Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three crucial wickets, including the dangerous Saim Ayub, to cap off a clinical performance. Mustafizur Rahman was equally impressive, striking early in the powerplay to dismiss Hasan Nawaz and later breaking a crucial partnership by removing Khushdil Shah. His spell was particularly economical, conceding just 6 runs in his four overs while picking up two wickets, as highlighted by Times Now News. Tanzim Hasan Sakib also contributed, dismissing Salman Ali Agha.
This marks a significant achievement for Bangladesh, as it is the first time they have managed to bowl out Pakistan in a T20 International, according to Hindustan Times.
The Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch, known for its slower pace and assistance to spinners as the match progresses, played a significant role. While fast bowlers found some early movement, the conditions increasingly favored the slower bowlers, aligning with the typical first-innings totals of 125-150 runs at this venue. High humidity and a forecast for rain added an unpredictable element, requiring both teams to adapt swiftly.
Pakistan entered the series with a new-look side, missing several key players including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. Salman Agha captained the side, with Mike Hesson taking over as the new white-ball coach. Despite their historical dominance over Bangladesh in T20Is, winning 19 out of 22 encounters, including five of seven in Dhaka, this match showcased Bangladesh’s growing confidence. The Tigers are riding high on the back of a historic 2-1 T20I series triumph in Sri Lanka, their first such feat on Sri Lankan soil, which has significantly boosted team morale under Litton Das’s leadership, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Chasing 111 for victory, Bangladesh’s chase began with an early setback as debutant Salman Mirza claimed his first T20I wicket, dismissing Tanzid Hasan Tamim for 2 runs in the first over. Parvez Hossain Emon and Litton Das then took to the crease, aiming to guide their team to a comfortable victory and take a 1-0 lead in the series. The low target, coupled with potential dew in the second innings, could aid the Bangladeshi batters, setting the stage for an intriguing chase.
