Tigers go down fighting

Pakistan won the first match of the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh by four wickets on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city, reports UNB.
In the see-saw match, Bangladesh showed some resistance at some points while defending a moderate total of 127 runs. But Pakistan batters were calm enough to seal the match. They destroyed Bangladesh's hope to erase the World Cup agony.
Pakistan lost four wickets for 40 runs in 10 overs while chasing the target. They needed to score 88 in the last 10 overs to seal the match.
Bangladesh displayed some quality bowling in the powerplay when Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan scalped one wicket each including the wickets of Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.
In the fifth wicket stand, Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah added 56 runs off 50 balls that put Pakistan back on the driving seat. The stand was broken by Shoriful Islam. The left-arm pacer removed Khushdil for 34 off 35 balls. In the last five overs, Pakistan needed 46 runs with five wickets in hand.
They completed the task riding on the 8-ball 18 by Mohammad Nawaz, and 10-ball 21 by Shadab Khan. Nawaz smashed 15 off 19th over bowled by Shoriful with a four off the last ball of 18th over bowled by Mustafizur.
In the last over, Pakistan needed only two runs.
Bangladesh captain gave the ball to Aminul Islam Biplob, only legspinner of Bangladesh squad, to bowl his first over. Shadab failed to take any run off the first ball, but he smashed the second ball to a six to seal the match with four wickets in hand and four balls to spare.
For Bangladesh, Taskin bagged two wickets conceding 31 runs while Mahedi, Mustafizur and Shoriful scalped one wicket each.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted a moderate total of 127 for seven 20 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first.