Salman’s Century In Vain: Tanzid and Taskin’s Fury Secure Historic ODI Series Victory for Bangladesh

DHAKA – In a series decider  (Pak vs Ban 3rd ODI) at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh secured a historic 2-1 ODI series victory against Pakistan. Despite a heroic century from Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha, the hosts held their nerve to defend a total of 290, winning the final match by 11 runs.

Tanzid’s Maiden Ton Sets the Stage

After Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and elected to bowl, Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan provided a steady start. Tanzid Hasan was the undisputed star of the first innings, smashing his maiden international century. His run-a-ball 107, featuring 6 fours and 7 sixes, anchored the innings and allowed the middle order to play with freedom. Late cameos from Towhid Hridoy (48* off 44) and Litton Das (41) propelled Bangladesh to a competitive 290/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Haris Rauf claimed 3 wickets for 49 runs.

Pakistan’s Top-Order Collapse

The chase began disastrously for the visitors. Bangladesh's pace sensation Nahid Rana and veteran Taskin Ahmed tore through the Pakistani top order, reducing them to a staggering 17/3 within the first 3 overs. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat were both dismissed for 6, while Mohammad Rizwan fell for just 4. The early wickets put Pakistan on the back foot, forcing them into a defensive shell for much of the middle overs.

Salman Agha’s Lone Resistance

Just as the match seemed to be slipping away at 110/5, Salman Ali Agha launched a remarkable counter-attack. Rebounding from a controversial run-out in the second ODI, Agha played an innings of pure grit, scoring a sensational century off just 89 deliveries. Supported by a late-order rearguard led by Shaheen Afridi (37), Agha took the game deep into the final overs, keeping Pakistani hopes alive until the very end.

The Final Over Drama

With Pakistan needing a challenging total in the final over, Bangladesh turned to Rishad Hossain. The leg-spinner outfoxed Shaheen Afridi with a sharp turning delivery; Afridi, looking to clear the boundary, missed completely and was stumped by Litton Das. Mustafizur Rahman earlier provided crucial breakthroughs to finish with 3 wickets. 

Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 279 in the final over, handing Bangladesh only their second-ever ODI series win over Pakistan, the first since 2015.

Summary of the Series

The 3-match series was a roller coaster of momentum:

• 1st ODI: Bangladesh won by 8 wickets after Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul skittled Pakistan for 114.
• 2nd ODI: Pakistan leveled the series with a 128-run victory (DLS method) behind Maaz Sadaqat’s all-round performance.
• 3rd ODI: Bangladesh won by 11 runs to seal the series 2-1.
• Player of the series award: Nahid Rana and Tanzid Hasan.