In a dramatic finish at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Bangladesh edged past Pakistan by 11 runs in the third ODI to seal the three-match series 2-1, despite a fighting century from Salman Ali Agha.After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi opted to field first, but Bangladesh’s openers made the decision costly. Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan stitched together a solid 105-run opening stand before Afridi removed Hassan for 38.Tanzid continued to dominate the innings and built crucial partnerships with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das. Shanto produced an outstanding knock of 107 runs off 107 balls, smashing seven sixes and six boundaries.
Das added 41, while Towhid Hridoy chipped in with 48 to guide Bangladesh to a strong total of 290/5 in their 50 overs.For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Afridi and Abrar Ahmed claimed one each.Pakistan’s run chase got off to a disastrous start as they slumped to 17/3, including the early dismissal of former captain Mohammad Rizwan. Debutants Ghazi Ghori and Abdul Samad briefly steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but both fell in quick succession, leaving Pakistan struggling at 82/5.A determined Agha then took charge of the innings, building a vital 79-run stand with another debutant, Saad Masood, who scored 38 before departing.
Faheem Ashraf could only add nine runs before being dismissed.Refusing to give up, Agha kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with a magnificent century, later forming a crucial partnership with Afridi. His impressive 107-run knock included four towering sixes and nine boundaries, bringing Pakistan within touching distance of victory at 261 runs.With 30 runs required off the final 15 balls, the match appeared to tilt towards Pakistan. However, Bangladesh struck back at a crucial moment, dismissing Agha and shifting the momentum.
Afridi fought valiantly with a brisk 37 off 38 balls and smashed two sixes in the penultimate over, leaving Pakistan needing 14 runs in the final over. But Bangladeshi spinner Rishad Hossain held his nerve, conceding only two runs as Pakistan were bowled out for 279 on the last ball.Tanzid Hasan was named Player of the Match for his brilliant century, while fast bowler Nahid Rana earned the Player of the Series award after taking eight wickets in the three-match contest.
