During the first T20I in Dhaka, Pakistan took control quickly. Despite a shocking run out that halted their momentum, Fakhar Zaman seemed fresh and was dazzling with his 44. Pakistan lost a couple of early wickets, but when the wickets started to tumble, they seemed to fall like ten pins, and despite some fight, Pakistan wallowed to a dreadful 110 all out, and left Bangladesh a great opportunity to chase the target down. So, what on earth went so wrong for the Green Shirts in Mirpur? Here are three of many reasons for Pakistan’s unlikely loss.
A Batting Collapse of Epic Proportions
To begin with, the batting collapse was a meltdown. After Fakhar Zaman’s explosive start, the Pakistan team lost wickets in an unrelenting manner, where they lost seven wickets before they even reached the 70-run mark. Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Agha Salman — none could stay at the crease long enough to build any partnerships. The middle order capitulated under pressure, succumbing to sharp bowling and sharp fielding.
It was like it infected the Pakistan batting lineup collectively, and they were all screwed up. They did not know when to take singles; they flatlined with shot selection. When the scoreboard reads 110 all out, and all in just under 20 overs, the batsmen were as bad as anyone could imagine, as it was a day when the batsmen forgot how to bat.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Brilliance Turned the Tide
The following day, the Bangladesh bowling attack was a clinic, fundamentally built around Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. Taskin struck early with three vicious wickets in a row, including Saim Ayub’s egregious flick; but, no one flew under the radar the way that Mustafizur did, as he ridiculously pleased with his economy of 1.5 runs per over, backing up his wickets at critical moments of the game and wreaking havoc on any semblance of a run-fest.
It was not just that, but Mustafizur bewildered the batters with his slower balls and cutters that tipped Pakistan out of their groove altogether. Like a sorcerer conjuring rabbits from a hat, he consumed Pakistan’s middle order, and the pressure was building. This was not bowling that contained the run rate and restricted Pakistan; this was bowling that commanded control of the match, firmly in Bangladesh’s favor.
Fielding Errors and Failure to Adapt
In the end, the situational elements and fielding mistakes added to Pakistan’s troubles. The run-outs at the wrong times, most notably by Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz, extinguished any chance of form. Pakistan struggled to read the slow pitch and didn’t seem to change their plan or season when they needed to kick on.
Bangladesh’s fielders were razor sharp and put their bowlers in great positions with their catches and ground fielding that saved runs. The not finishing strongly and poor shot options from Bangladesh shaped how Pakistan chased the match down, and to do that in T20 cricket is costly, and Pakistan paid the ultimate price of a losing streak.
What started positively ultimately evaporated due to a lack of strengths with some deficiencies against a Pakistani defence, a decent attack from the Bangladesh bowlers, and managing the field and momentum. Ultimately, Bangladesh comfortably chased down the total with 7 wickets remaining and 27 deliveries left to spare as Pakistan looked vacantly at the result and their supporters looked vacant themselves, wondering what just happened.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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