Bangladesh clinched a tense eight-run victory over Pakistan in the second T20I at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday, successfully defending a modest total of 133 to take a 2–0 lead in the three-match series.
With this win, Bangladesh recorded their first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan.
After a top-order collapse saw Bangladesh post just 133, it was the home side’s bowlers who turned the game around with a spirited effort under lights.
Pakistan collapsed to 17 for five, and that was the point where they lost the grip of the match. They were never able to turn the table until the last few deliveries. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers held the nerve.
Shoriful Islam struck twice early, removing Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Haris in quick succession.
Saim Ayub was run out in the opening over after a mix-up, while Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz departed without scoring, both falling to an inspired spell from Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Captain Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah tried to stabilize the innings but were tied down by disciplined bowling. Mahedi Hasan accounted for both batters, removing Agha for a scratchy 9 and trapping Khushdil lbw for 13.
Bangladesh struggle to 133 as Pakistan bowlers dominate in second T20I
At 47 for 7, the game seemed firmly in Bangladesh’s grip before Faheem Ashraf launched a counterattack.
He smashed 51 off 32 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and as many sixes, and found support from Abbas Afridi and Ahmed Daniyal as the visitors edged closer.
But the damage was already done.
Shoriful returned to remove Afridi, finishing with figures of 3 for 17. Faheem eventually fell in the final over, caught behind off Rishad Hossain, before Mustafizur Rahman claimed the final wicket of Daniyal to end the match with four balls remaining. Pakistan were bowled out for 125 in 19.2 overs.
Earlier, Jaker Ali’s 55 and Mahedi Hasan’s 33 were the only notable contributions in a Bangladesh innings that never found fluency.
Pakistan’s bowlers — led by Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, and Abbas Afridi — shared the spoils, keeping the hosts to a below-par score.
Yet, in a low-scoring thriller, Bangladesh’s bowlers rose to the occasion to deliver a memorable win and seal the series with one game to spare. The final T20I will be played on Thursday in Mirpur.