Bangladesh edge past Pakistan by 8 runs to seal the series victory

Bangladesh held off a late charge from Faheem Ashraf and debutant Ahmed Daniyal to secure a narrow eight-run win in the second T20I on Tuesday, clinching their first-ever T20I series victory over Pakistan.

Ashraf blazed a 32-ball 51, while Daniyal chipped in with a rapid 17 off 11 deliveries. But Daniyal was dismissed on the second ball of the final over, ending Pakistan’s chase at 125 all out, short of the 134-run target in Dhaka.

Sent in to bat, Bangladesh managed 133 in their 20 overs, thanks largely to Jaker Ali’s gritty 55 off 48 balls. Salman Mirza impressed with 2-17, while Daniyal also took 2-23 in his debut outing.

Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam produced his best T20I figures of 3-17 on a sluggish Mirpur track, triggering a dramatic collapse as Pakistan slumped to 15-5 inside the first five overs.

Ashraf’s counterattack, laced with four sixes and four boundaries, gave Pakistan hope, especially during his 41-run stand with Abbas Afridi (19 off 13). However, spinner Rishad Hossain bowled Ashraf in the 19th over, swinging the match back in Bangladesh's favor.

Bangladesh had earlier stumbled to 28-4 before Jaker and Mahedi Hasan (33 off 25) stitched together a 53-run partnership to stabilize the innings.

Bangladesh had already won the opening match by seven wickets at the same venue and now take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the final game scheduled for Thursday in Dhaka.

This marks Bangladesh’s maiden T20I series win against Pakistan in four attempts.