BeNewz
Related Articles
BeNewz Report
DHAKA: Bangladesh crushed Pakistan by eight wickets in Dhaka after bowling them out for 114, with Nahid Rana taking five wickets as the hosts chased the target in just 15.1 overs to lead the ODI series 1-0.
Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the first ODI of the series played at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday after dismissing the visitors for just 114 runs and chasing the target comfortably in 15.1 overs. Fast bowler Nahid Rana starred with the ball, taking five wickets for 24 runs and earning the player of the match award.
Pakistan, batting first, struggled from the start and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. None of the top-order batters managed to build a partnership, putting the team under pressure early in the innings. Bangladesh’s pace attack dominated throughout, with Nahid Rana leading the charge through aggressive fast bowling that exposed Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 114 in a disappointing performance in the opening match of the Pakistan tour of Bangladesh 2026.
Chasing a modest target of 115, Bangladesh started confidently and never allowed Pakistan to get back into the contest. The openers provided a quick start, taking advantage of loose bowling and fielding errors. The middle order then completed the chase without difficulty as Bangladesh reached 115 for 2 in only 15.1 overs, sealing victory with 209 balls remaining, one of their fastest successful ODI chases against Pakistan in recent years.
Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul was one of the best bowling performances by a Bangladesh fast bowler in home ODIs in recent seasons. According to ICC ODI statistics, Bangladesh have significantly improved their pace bowling resources since 2023, with younger fast bowlers playing a key role in home series victories. The Mirpur pitch has also historically assisted bowlers early in the innings, often making low-scoring matches common at the venue.
Bangladesh have been particularly strong at home in the last decade. Records from the Bangladesh Cricket Board show the team has won a majority of its ODI series in Dhaka since 2015, defeating several higher-ranked sides in spin-friendly and slow conditions. Pakistan, on the other hand, have faced inconsistency in ODI cricket in recent years, with frequent changes in batting order and team combinations affecting overall performance, according to recent ICC team rankings and match reports.
With this win, Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, putting pressure on Pakistan ahead of the next match of the tour. The result also highlights Bangladesh’s growing strength in home conditions, while Pakistan will need major improvement in batting if they want to stay competitive in the remaining matches of the Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI series.
