Nahid Rana takes five as Pakistan record lowest ODI total against Bangladesh

Even before the Bangladesh–Pakistan series began, discussion had centred on what the Mirpur pitch would be like. Known as a graveyard for batters, the wicket has often seen bowlers dominate. In the first innings of the opening ODI today, that familiar script appeared again. However, rather than the pitch alone, much of the credit goes to Bangladesh's bowlers. Under their disciplined attack, Pakistan registered an embarrassing record.

Bangladesh are playing their first international match of the year with this ODI against Pakistan. After winning the toss in the first ODI of the series at Mirpur, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz chose to field. Pakistan began cautiously after being sent in to bat but suddenly collapsed, losing ten wickets for 73 runs and being bowled out for just 114. It is Pakistan's lowest total in an ODI against Bangladesh. Their previous lowest came during the 1999 ODI World Cup in Northampton, when Bangladesh bowled them out for 161 and secured a 61-run victory.

Speaking at yesterday's press conference, Pakistan's ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi had indicated that three Pakistani cricketers would make their debuts. In the end, four players were handed their maiden caps: Sahibzada Farhan, Shamael Hussain, Maaz Sadaqat and Abdul Samad. Among them, only Farhan had previously represented Pakistan in international cricket.

Farhan and Sadaqat started steadily, putting together a 41-run opening partnership from 60 balls. The partnership, however, was broken by Nahid Rana, triggering the collapse. On the final ball of the tenth over, Farhan attempted to cut a short delivery outside off stump from Rana but edged a simple catch to Afif Hossain at point. Farhan scored 27 from 38 balls, hitting four fours.

Pakistan could have lost their second wicket on 44. On the second ball of the 11th over, Shamael tried to loft Miraz, sending the ball high into the air. Tanzid Hasan Tamim ran in from long-off while Towhid Hridoy charged from long-on, but neither managed to hold on to the catch. Shamael, who had received a life on 2, did not last long; he was dismissed for 4, pulling a short ball from Nahid straight into the gloves of wicketkeeper Litton Das.

After Farhan and Shamael, Nahid's barrage of short-pitched deliveries also accounted for Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. In Salman's case, Tanzid Hasan Tamim played a major role. Attempting to pull Nahid in the 18th over, Salman saw the ball lob to short leg, where Tamim secured the catch after several attempts.

Pakistan, already rattled by Nahid's short-ball assault, then crumbled against the spin of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the pace of Taskin Ahmed. Abdul Samad, Hussain Talat and Shaheen Shah Afridi were among those dismissed. On the final ball of the 19th over, Samad was caught behind off Miraz. He opted for a review, but replays showed a faint edge before the ball settled in Litton's gloves. Samad not only departed for a duck but also wasted a review.