Jaker Ali Anik put a heroic effort as Bangladesh clinched its maiden T20 series against Pakistan after sealing a thrilling 8-run victory in the second match yesterday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Jaker anchored the innings with sustained aggression to hit 55 off 48 with one four and five sixes, helping Bangladesh recover from a shaky start and post 133 before being all out on a sluggish wicket.

Chasing 134, top six batters of Pakistan were out for single-digits before Faheem Ashraf waged a lone battle and raised the prospect of an unlikely victory.

Much like Jaker, Faheem who blasted 32 ball-51 with four fours and as many sixes also batted deep with the lower order but out in the penultimate over just after reaching his maiden fifty, leaving the side 13 runs for a series-levelling victory in the last over.

Ahmed Daniyal (17) hit a six in the first ball of the last over to give Pakistan another glimmer of hope before holing out to mid-wicket in the next ball off Mustafizur Rahamn as Pakistan bowled out for 125 in 19.2 overs.

Bangladesh won the first match by seven wickets and now took an unassailable 2-0 lead in three-match series.

A minute’s silence was held before the match, both teams and officials wearing black armbands, and there is no music played throughout the evening as a mark of respect for those affected in the tragic fighter jet crash that claimed the lives of the students.

Bangladesh were put into bat first on sluggish wicket and as has been the case, they found them in hot water with Pakistan bowlers coming all guns blazing.

But Jaker guided the lower order to take the score past 130, a total that is considered as winning one on Mirpur wicket. Jaker, was dismissed in the last delivery of the innings by skying a slower delivery of Abbas Afirid high on long-on.

Mahedi Hasan was the other notable scorer with 33 while opener Parvez Hossain Emon was the only other to reach double digits, making 13.

Jaker and Mahedi added 53 runs for the fifth wicket after Bangladesh slumped to 28-4, seemingly heading toward a total below 100.

The first breakthrough came from medium pacer Faheem Ashraf who removed Naim Sheik who replaced Tanzid Hasan Tamim for 3.

Salman Mirza, debutant Ahmed Daniyal and Abbas Afridi took two wickets apiece for Pakistan.

Salman who made debut in the first T20 against Bangladesh and Daniyal sliced Bangladesh’s top order while captain Agha Salman inflicted a run out on Towhid Hridoy with a direct to jolt Bangladesh innings.

Jaker and Mahedi resisted before Mohammad Nawaz broke the partnership with the wicket of the latter. Mahedi smashed two fours and as many sixes in his knock.

Jaker then fought single-handedly to give Bangladesh a total to savour.

Pacers Shoriful Islam (3-17), Tanzim Hasan (2-23) and offspinner Mahedi Hasan (2-25) kept Pakistan at bay, putting a disciplined bowling.

But Pakistan batters played rash shots, much like the first T20 and found them in precarious 30-6 in 10th over with all six batters being out for single digits.

Fahim Ashraf stood tall against a spirited Bangladesh attack, raising the prospect of an unlikely victory with Khushdil Shah (13) and Abbas Afridi (19) giving him little support.

He brought up his maiden fifty from 31 deliveries, hoicking legspinner Rishad Hossain over long on for a six.

However Rishad (1-42) took the sweet revenge in the next delivery by crashing his stump as Pakistan’s chance to win the game was dented completely.

The third and final match is on Thursday.
(Source: BSS)