Bangladesh clinch series despite Agha ton

Bangladesh bowlers held their nerve to seal the three-match series 2-1 with an 11-run win in the final ODI after a century from Pakistan’s Salman Agha caused jitters in the Tigers’ camp in the series decider at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

After opener Tanzid Tamim guided Bangladesh to 290-5 with a run-a-ball 107 on a good batting track, the Tigers’ pacers made early inroads. Spearheaded by speedster Taskin Ahmed (4-49), Bangladesh rattled Pakistan with three wickets in the first three overs.

Taskin struck twice in that burst, removing Sahibzada Farhan (6) and Mohammad Rizwan (4), while Nahid Rana (2-62) nicked off opener Maaz Sadaqat (6) as Pakistan slumped to 17-3.

Rana later returned after the Powerplay to dismiss Ghazi Ghori (29), and Mustafizur Rahman (3-54) had Abdul Samad (34) caught behind to leave the visitors reeling at 82-5 in 17.4 overs.

A 79-run stand between Agha and Saad Masood briefly halted the slide before Mustafizur returned to castle Masood (38) in the 32nd over, reducing Pakistan to 161-6 in 31.2 overs.

Agha, however, kept Pakistan in the hunt, stitching together partnerships worth 48 and 52 with Faheem Ashraf (9) and Shaheen Afridi respectively, while also bringing up an impressive century.

But Taskin eventually broke the resistance, deceiving Agha (106 off 98 balls) with a slower delivery in the 48th over to bring Bangladesh closer to victory.

Shaheen then sparked late drama, smashing Mustafizur for 14 runs in the 49th over, although the left-arm seamer struck back by removing Haris Rauf.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain held his nerve in the final over, defending 14 runs and dismissing Shaheen (37 off 38 balls) to bundle Pakistan out for 279.