Bangladesh national cricket team succumbed to a 21-run defeat to Pakistan in their opening game of the tri-series in New Zealand, making it their seventh defeat in the last 10 matches.
Bangladesh, without regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who missed out on the match after reaching New Zealand less than 24 hours before the match due to visa complications, could only manage 146-8 chasing Pakistan’s 167-5, which was built mostly around player of the match Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 78 off 50 deliveries.
Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Nurul Hasan Sohan won the toss and opted to field, and as usual, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam formed a slowish 52-run stand with Rizwan.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz sent Babar (22 off 25) back but in came Shan Masood, and before getting dismissed to Nasum Ahmed, he scored 31 off 22 balls.
But Rizwan continued at the other end and was Pakistan’s engine throughout the innings as he helped them pick up 51 runs in the final four overs to reach 167-5. Rizwan stayed unbeaten on 78, hitting seven fours and two sixes.
In reply, Bangladesh’s makeshift openers, Mehidy and Sabbir Rahman could not bring them any form of a good start. Rather, they pushed them back as the former scored 10 off 11, while the latter took 18 balls to score just 14.
Bangladesh were seemingly recovering from the situation as Liton Das and Afif Hossain put together 50 runs for the third wicket.
But then, in a span of 15 deliveries, Bangladesh lost four wickets, including the two set batsmen along with Mosaddek Hossain and Nurul, leading to them being knocked out of the chase.
A late burst from Yasir Ali Chowdhury, who scored 42 off 21 deliveries, only allowed them to curb the deficit as they fell short by 21 runs.
Bangladesh’s next match is against New Zealand on Sunday.
