Bangladesh clinch ODI series after thrilling defeat of Pakistan
By Nawaz Gohar ; In a nail-biting encounter, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in the third and deciding ODI to secure the three-match series 2-1. Chasing a target of 291, the Pakistan team was bowled out for 279. Earlier, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and elected to field. Batting first, Bangladesh scored 290 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 50 overs, setting a target of 291 for Pakistan. Tanzid Hasan was the star of the show for Bangladesh, playing a magnificent innings of 107 runs. Litton Das contributed 41, while Saif Hassan and Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 36 and 27 runs, respectively. Towhid Hridoy also played a crucial role with an unbeaten 44, helping the home side post a formidable total. Haris Rauf led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed claimed one wicket each. In response, Pakistan's chase lacked the necessary momentum at various stages. While several batsmen failed to convert good starts into substantial scores, Salman Ali Agha fought valiantly with a responsible century. Despite his efforts to bring Pakistan close to the finish line, his brilliant knock wasn't enough to avert defeat as the entire team was dismissed for 279. The series had been leveled at 1-1 after Pakistan won the second ODI by a massive 128-run margin, but Bangladesh ultimately emerged victorious in the decider. Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghouri, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Saad Masood, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed. Bangladesh Playing XI: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (WK), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Nahid Rana.
