Nahid Rana took five wickets. Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in the 31st over. Tanzid Hasan scored 67 off 42 balls, unbeaten. Bangladesh completed the chase in 15.1 overs, winning by eight wickets with 35 overs to spare. The first ODI at Mirpur wasn’t a contest; it was a demolition built on pace bowling that Pakistan’s batting unit had no answer for and a chase so aggressive it was effectively over before the halfway point. Bangladesh didn’t just win. They won in a manner that sets the tone for the entire series.
How Rana Dismantled Pakistan’s Batting in the First Half
Pakistan’s innings began solidly, 41 without loss suggesting a platform was forming. Rana removed that platform in a single spell. His short-pitched attack, hitting hard lengths and targeting the gloves and bat handle, created the kind of discomfort that spreads through a batting order once the first wicket falls unexpectedly.
Nahid Rana’s five wickets weren’t just about pace; they were about sustained pressure executed with a specific plan. Short ball, hard length, tight line, the same formula delivered consistently enough that Pakistan’s batters had no adjustment period. By the time the middle order arrived, the collapse was already in motion. Partnerships were broken before they could be established, rebuilding attempts were cut short, and the innings never found the stability it needed to reach a competitive total.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s three wickets in the latter stages confirmed what Rana had already established: Pakistan were 31 overs, not 50, batting side on this surface on this day.
Why Faheem Ashraf’s Cameo Couldn’t Save the Innings
Pakistan’s late resistance through Faheem Ashraf pushed the total slightly beyond 100; without that cameo, Bangladesh may have been chasing fewer than 100. But 114 on a batting-friendly Mirpur surface against Bangladesh’s top order was never a competitive total. The damage Rana inflicted in the middle phase left Pakistan’s lower order too much to recover, and Ashraf’s contribution, while showing some fight, arrived too late to change the match’s direction.
What Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st ODI Revealed
The Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1st ODI surface offered genuine pace and bounce, conditions that suited Rana’s hard-length attack perfectly and that Bangladesh’s team selectors clearly anticipated when naming their bowling unit. Pakistan’s batters found the bounce awkward, mistimed deliveries they would comfortably middle on flatter surfaces, and struggled to adjust their footwork to the extra carry.
When Bangladesh chased, the same surface behaved differently, a smaller target, less pressure, and positive intent from Tanzid Hasan changed the equation entirely. The pitch wasn’t unplayable. It rewarded the team that executed the right plan for the conditions. Bangladesh had one. Pakistan didn’t.
How Tanzid Sealed the Result Before Pakistan Could React
Tanzid Hasan’s 67 off 42 balls was not a careful chase; it was an assault that removed any possibility of tension entering the match. His boundary-hitting from the first over against Pakistan’s pace attack sent an immediate message: Bangladesh were not defending a total, they were hunting one down.
His partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto after an early wicket stabilized the innings momentarily before Tanzid re-accelerated. The chase of 115 completed in 15.1 overs left 35 overs unused, a margin that reflects how completely Bangladesh controlled both innings.
Stay updated on the latest cricket news and exciting updates at Six6slive. Dive into our in-depth articles and analyses to connect with the action today!