Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Superb century by Tanzid Hasan powered Bangladesh national cricket team to a dramatic 11-run victory over the Pakistan national cricket team in the third and final One Day International, helping the hosts seal the series 2–1 at the iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The day-night clash on Sunday delivered an exciting finish as Bangladesh successfully defended a competitive total to secure a memorable series triumph.

Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh built a strong foundation with confident stroke play from their top order. The highlight of the innings was a magnificent century from Tanzid Hasan, who produced a composed and fluent knock under pressure. The young opener scored 107 runs from 107 deliveries, marking the first century of his international career. His innings, decorated with elegant boundaries and controlled aggression, set the tone for Bangladesh’s total.

Tanzid’s innings was supported by valuable contributions from several teammates. Saif Hassan added 36 runs at the top, while Litton Das played a steady innings of 41. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chipped in with 27 runs, stabilizing the middle phase of the innings. Later, a late flourish from Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 48, pushed the total close to the 300 mark. At the end of the allotted 50 overs, Bangladesh posted a challenging score of 290 for 5.

Pakistan, pacer Haris Rauf was the most effective bowler, claiming three wickets and trying to restrict Bangladesh’s scoring momentum. However, Bangladesh’s balanced batting performance ensured that the visitors faced a demanding chase under lights.

Pakistan began their innings with cautious optimism but lost wickets at crucial intervals. Early contributions came from Saim Ayub Ghauri, who scored 29, and Abdul Samad, who added 35 runs. Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan found hope through a remarkable innings from Salman Ali Agha. The Pakistani all-rounder produced a fighting century, scoring an impressive 104 runs and keeping his team in contention throughout the chase.

Further support came from Shan Masood, who scored 38, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who contributed a spirited 37 down the order. Their efforts brought Pakistan within touching distance of the target, creating a tense finish in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Mirpur.

Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve in the crucial moments. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed delivered a decisive spell, picking up four wickets and breaking key partnerships. Nahid Rana provided strong support with two wickets, while experienced pacer Mustafizur Rahman also claimed three important scalps. Their combined efforts eventually restricted Pakistan to 279 runs, falling just 11 runs short of the target.

The victory not only secured the ODI series for Bangladesh but also boosted their standing in international cricket. Following the triumph over Pakistan, Bangladesh climbed to ninth place in the International Cricket Council ODI rankings, overtaking the West Indies national cricket team. Despite losing the series, Pakistan retained their fourth position in the rankings, though their rating points dropped from 105 to 102.

For his outstanding century that laid the foundation for Bangladesh’s victory, Tanzid Hasan was named the Player of the Match. His consistent performances throughout the series also earned him the Player of the Series award, which he shared with Bangladeshi pacer Nahid Rana for his impactful bowling contributions.

The thrilling contest at Mirpur highlighted Bangladesh’s growing strength in limited-overs cricket and their ability to challenge strong opponents on home soil. With a mix of promising young players and experienced campaigners delivering under pressure, the series win against Pakistan marks another significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket and signals their rising competitiveness in the global ODI arena.