Pakistan made a strong comeback in the three-match ODI series with a commanding 128-run victory by the DLS method in the rain-affected second ODI against hosts Bangladesh at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Chasing a target of 275, Bangladesh suffered an early collapse as their top order crumbled to 15 for three. The situation worsened when a hailstorm interrupted play with the Tigers struggling at 25 for three in 6.3 overs.
After a delay of two hours and fifteen minutes, the match resumed with a revised DLS target of 243 runs in 32 overs for Bangladesh. The adjusted target proved too steep for the hosts as they failed to build any meaningful partnerships.
Liton Das attempted to inject some momentum into the chase, scoring a brisk 41 off 33 deliveries. However, his dismissal in the 13th over dealt a significant blow to Bangladesh’s hopes. Once Liton departed, Pakistan tightened their grip on the match as the rest of the batting lineup failed to mount a serious challenge.
Towhid Hridoy was the second-highest scorer for Bangladesh with 28, but his innings came off 38 balls and struggled to keep pace with the required run rate.
Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for just 114 in 23.3 overs, handing Pakistan a comfortable victory.
Haris Rauf and Maaz Sadaqat were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, claiming three wickets each to dismantle the Bangladesh batting order.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to field for the second consecutive match.
Pakistan openers Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat provided a flying start, with Sadaqat leading the charge. The aggressive batter found the boundary regularly, smashing two fours in the second over and following it up with two sixes in the third as Pakistan dominated the early exchanges.
Pakistan reached their fifty in just 6.4 overs, while Sadaqat brought up his half-century in only 31 deliveries in the ninth over. At the end of the first ten overs, Pakistan were cruising at 85 without loss.
Miraz finally provided Bangladesh with the breakthrough in the 13th over after the opening pair had added 103 runs. Sadaqat, who was batting brilliantly, attempted a paddle scoop but managed only a top edge, which Liton Das comfortably collected behind the stumps.
Sadaqat’s explosive knock of 75 came from just 46 balls and included six fours and five sixes.
Bangladesh struck a couple of wickets afterward, but Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha steadied the innings with a crucial 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Agha’s dismissal in the 39th over sparked controversy. Rizwan played a gentle push towards long-on, where Miraz moved to his right and stopped the ball with his foot. The ball appeared to slow down significantly, prompting Agha—who had stepped out of his crease—to attempt to pick it up and hand it to the bowler. Miraz quickly seized the opportunity, collected the ball, and broke the stumps with an underarm throw while Agha was still well outside the crease.
The third umpire upheld the dismissal after reviewing the footage, confirming that the ball had not been declared dead.
An angry Agha reacted by throwing his gloves and helmet in frustration as he left the field. Before his dismissal, he had played a fine innings of 64 from 62 balls.
Rizwan added 44 off 59 balls before falling shortly after Agha’s exit.
Pakistan looked set to cross the 300-run mark at one stage after the 35-over mark, but the quick dismissals of Agha and Rizwan slowed their progress.
Bangladesh bowlers performed better in the death overs, picking up regular wickets to restrict Pakistan to 274 in 47.4 overs.
With the convincing win, Pakistan have now levelled the series 1-1, setting up a decisive third and final ODI on Sunday.