2nd T201: Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 8 runs to clinch series 

Dhaka (Web Desk): Bangladesh secured the T20I series against Pakistan with a game still left to play after a tense eight-run triumph in the second encounter held at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan's captain Salman Ali Agha saw his strategy pay off as their pace attack quickly put Bangladesh under pressure. Fast-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf made an early breakthrough in the second over by dismissing opener Mohammad Naim for just three runs.

The home side faced early difficulties, losing four wickets for only 28 runs within the first six overs. Skipper Litton Das, who added eight runs, and Parvez Hossain Emon briefly steadied the innings with a partnership of 20 runs before Das’s departure in the fifth over triggered further wickets.

After this early collapse, Mahedi Hasan and wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali worked together to rebuild Bangladesh’s innings, forging a valuable 53-run stand. Hasan contributed a lively 33 off 25 balls, hitting two boundaries and as many sixes before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz in the 14th over.

Jaker Ali played a resilient innings, anchoring the tail and ensuring Bangladesh posted a defendable total. He top-scored with a gritty 55 runs from 48 deliveries, featuring one four and five sixes.

Pakistan’s bowling efforts were spearheaded by debutant Ahmed Daniyal, Abbas Afridi, and Salman Mirza, each claiming two wickets. Nawaz and Ashraf added a wicket apiece, helping restrict Bangladesh to 133 runs.

Earlier, Bangladesh had taken the lead in the series by clinching the first match with a comfortable seven-wicket win. Their victory in this second match means they have already secured the three-match series with one fixture remaining.

Teams

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha(C), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal
Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (C/WK), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman