Bangladesh began the T20I series in dominant fashion, defeating Pakistan by seven wickets in the first match held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Bangladesh limited Pakistan to a low total of 110 runs in the final over.
Fakhar Zaman’s 44 was the only notable contribution, while Mohammad Abbas Afridi (22) and Khushdil Shah (17) were the only other players to reach double digits. Bangladesh comfortably chased the target in just 15.3 overs, led by opener Parvez Hossain Emon, who remained unbeaten on 56 and was later named Player of the Match.
Pitch Controversy Sparks Mixed Reactions
After the defeat, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson pointed fingers at the pitch conditions, calling it unsuitable for international cricket. “I think (the pitch) is not ideal for anybody,” Hesson stated. He believed the surface misled the players, especially after a few fluent shots from Zaman gave a “false indication” of the pitch’s true nature.
Pakistan’s batting collapse saw them reduced to 46 for 5 in just 8 overs, with several players falling to high-risk shots. Adding to their woes, they also suffered three run-outs. “It is not acceptable… But this pitch is not up to international standards,” Hesson emphasized, though he did admit poor decision-making contributed to the loss.
Bangladesh Downplays Complaints, Focuses on Execution
Bangladesh captain Litton Das brushed aside criticism about the pitch, highlighting his team’s familiarity with the Mirpur surface. “We definitely know about the wicket because we played lots of cricket in Mirpur… the way we batted, it looks good,” Litton said. He credited early wickets and effective bowling for their success, and noted that dew helped ease batting conditions in the second innings.
Parvez Hossain Emon also disagreed with Hesson’s assessment. “We didn’t feel (it was a bad pitch)… We adjusted better than they did,” Emon noted, suggesting Pakistan failed to adapt quickly. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s win and his personal performance, adding, “When I hit sixes, I enjoyed it.” With momentum on their side, Bangladesh aim to clinch the series in the next match scheduled for Tuesday, July 22.
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