Bangladesh A suffer 79-run in Top End T20 series opener

Bangladesh A slumped to a 79-run defeat against Pakistan Shaheens in their opening match of the Top End T20 Series, producing a reckless batting display at the TIO Stadium in Darwin, Australia, today.

Batting first, the Pakistan Shaheens piled up a formidable 227 for 4, leaving Bangladesh A with an uphill task. In reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 148 in 16.5 overs, with Saif Hasan the only batter to show real composure. He struck a 32-ball 57, including five fours and three sixes.

Opener Jisan Alam was the other notable contributor, making 33. After the early dismissal of Naim Sheikh for just 5, Jisan and Saif counter-attacked, putting on 86 runs from only 38 deliveries to give Bangladesh hope. However, the Shaheens' bowlers hit back strongly. Ahmad Sadaqat broke the stand by removing Jisan, triggering a collapse as Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals.

Saad Masud inflicted the most damage, finishing with figures of 3 for 30.

Earlier, opener Yasir Khan led the way for Pakistan Shaheens with a 40-ball 62, featuring seven fours and two sixes. Fellow opener Khawaja Mohammad Nafay was equally destructive, blasting 61 from 31 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

The pair shared a blistering 118-run opening stand in just 11.1 overs after captain Irfan Khan elected to bat first. Syed Abdul Samad then provided late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls with one four and five sixes, taking the total beyond 200. Irfan himself chipped in with 25 from 12 balls.

For Bangladesh A, Rakibul Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby claimed one wicket each.