In a commanding display of fast bowling, Nahid Rana emerged as the star performer as Bangladesh dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup for a mere 114 runs in the opening One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series. The match took place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, where Rana’s relentless pace and precision left the Pakistani batsmen struggling to build any meaningful partnerships.
Rana’s spell was nothing short of spectacular, as he claimed five wickets for just 24 runs in his seven overs, effectively crippling Pakistan’s innings. His devastating performance was complemented by the efforts of Bangladesh’s experienced spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who chipped in with three crucial wickets. Together, they orchestrated a comprehensive bowling attack that put Bangladesh firmly in control of the match from an early stage.
Pakistan’s innings began with a promising start thanks to their new opening pair, Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan. The duo looked confident and aggressive, scoring runs freely during the initial overs after being asked to bat first. Their partnership yielded 41 runs, providing a solid foundation for the visitors. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Rana struck in the final over of the powerplay, dismissing Farhan for 27 runs off 38 balls, which included four well-timed boundaries.
Rana’s impact was immediate and ruthless. Soon after removing Farhan, he sent back ODI debutant Shamyl Hussain for a mere four runs, reducing Pakistan to 47 for 2. The pressure intensified as Maaz Sadaqat’s resistance was broken by Rana, who trapped him for 18 runs off 28 deliveries. This marked the beginning of Pakistan’s batting collapse, as the visitors struggled to cope with the relentless pace and accuracy of the Bangladeshi attack.
The situation worsened for Pakistan when their wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply for 10, becoming Rana’s fourth victim. At 64 for 4, Pakistan’s innings was teetering on the edge. Rana then completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Salman Ali Agha for five runs, leaving the Pakistani batting lineup in tatters and the visitors in deep trouble.
Adding to Pakistan’s woes, Mehidy Hasan Miraz made a significant impact with the ball. The spinner quickly removed Abdul Samad for a duck, followed by back-to-back wickets of Hussain Talat and Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, who both managed just four runs each. This swift collapse saw Pakistan tumble to 81 for 8, with very few batsmen able to withstand the pressure applied by the Bangladeshi bowlers.
Despite the overwhelming bowling dominance, Pakistan’s lower order showed some resistance. Faheem Ashraf played a gritty innings, scoring 37 runs off 47 balls, including six boundaries and a six, providing a brief flicker of hope for the visitors. However, his efforts were ultimately in vain as Mustafizur Rahman wrapped up the innings by dismissing him. Taskin Ahmed also contributed by taking a wicket during the final stages of Pakistan’s collapse.
Pakistan’s innings concluded at 114 runs in 30.4 overs, a total that leaves them with a significant uphill battle in the first ODI of the 2026 series. Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul proved to be the defining factor in Bangladesh’s dominant bowling performance, setting the tone for the remainder of the series. With such a commanding start, Bangladesh now holds a strong advantage as they aim to secure an early lead in this crucial three-match ODI contest on home soil.
