Bangladesh bowlers held their nerve to seal a thrilling 11-run victory over Pakistan in the third One Day International and clinch the series 2-1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday.
Defending a target of 291, Bangladesh made a dream start with the ball, claiming three wickets in the first three overs to push Pakistan onto the back foot.
Taskin Ahmed struck in the opening over to remove Sahibzada Farhan (6) before Nahid Rana dismissed the other opener Maaz Sadaqat (6) in the next over.
Taskin then delivered another major blow in the third over when he bowled Mohammad Rizwan (4) with a sharp delivery that beat the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter for pace.
Pakistan lost another wicket in the 14th over, but Salman Ali Agha began rebuilding the innings and kept the scoreboard moving with confident strokeplay.
Bangladesh continued to strike at intervals, yet Salman anchored the chase superbly and kept Pakistan within reach of the target.
He brought up his third ODI century with a six in the 45th over but was eventually dismissed for 106 off 96 balls, with Taskin once again providing the breakthrough.
After Salman’s departure, Pakistan required 28 runs from the final two overs with two wickets in hand.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi kept the contest alive by smashing two sixes in the 49th over against Mustafizur Rahman.
Mustafizur briefly required treatment after being struck on the knee by a powerful shot from Shaheen but returned to complete the over and dismissed Haris Rauf with the final delivery.
Pakistan then needed 14 runs from the last over, with Shaheen on strike and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain entrusted with the final over.
Rishad held his nerve brilliantly, mixing his deliveries well as Shaheen struggled to connect cleanly. He conceded only two runs before dismissing Afridi on the final ball, with Litton Das completing the stumping, as Pakistan were bowled out for 279 in 49.6 overs.
Taskin finished as Bangladesh’s most successful bowler with four wickets, while Mustafizur claimed three.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 290/5 after Pakistan won the toss and opted to field.
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim led the way with a superb 107 off 107 balls, striking six fours and seven sixes. He shared a 100-run opening stand with Saif Hasan, who scored 36.
Najmul Hossain Shanto added 27, while Litton Das (41) and Towhid Hridoy (48 not out) helped Bangladesh reach a competitive total.
Tanzid was named Player of the Match, while Tanzid and Nahid Rana jointly received the Player of the Series award.