pak vs ban pakistan beat bangladesh by 5 wickets

That's all from this game! Pakistan have begun the series in a brilliant manner. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have a great deal to think about going onto the second T20I. That match isn't too far away however as it will be played on Saturday, the 25th of January at 1400 Local (0900 GMT). Do join us for that game. Up to that point, goodnight.

Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, says that this was a required victory for them and the bowlers did a good activity. Adds that they were not expecting a pitch this way. Says that they planned to bowl Bangladesh out for as low a score as conceivable and the bowlers did a spectacular activity in that.

Shoaib Malik, THE MAN OF THE MATCH, says that with the new ball, they could have played through the line but later with the more seasoned ball they had to search for gaps. Credits the bowlers for their performance and it was them who set up the victory. Adds that he was trying to take as many singles as he could and then search for boundaries.

Mahmudullah, the Bangladesh captain says that it was an awesome contest and he was amazed by the pitch. Adds that as the game went on the ball became harder to bat on. Goes on to say that they would hope to improve in the death overs as they were 10 to 15 runs short. States that they missed Shakib and they have to improve their fielding as they dropped a couple of chances.

Time for the Presentation ceremony.

Ahsan Ali who is down for an interview, says that he was anxious and Babar Azam gave him confidence and that released the weight. Adds that he was looking to play his natural game but after losing the two wickets, he was cautious in his approach. Adds that the bowlers were awesome especially the pacers. Goes onto say that the pitch was hard to bat on. Finishes by saying that this match gave him part of confidence and would hope to continue the good work in the following game as well.

Earlier in the game, Pakistan bowled very well to confine Bangladesh for only 141. Every one of their bowlers bowled well and they have to be given credit for this victory. Bangladesh would be disappointed with their performance with the bat and they were 10 to 15 runs short.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, were good with the ball. They did not give easy runs to the Pakistani batters and they picked up wickets at regular intervals. The target was a small one and it was always going to be hard for the visitors to stop a good side like Pakistan. Mustafizur Rahman was disappointing while Aminul Islam was the pick of the bowlers. He picked up only 1 wicket but was economical. Shafiul Islam too bowled well but that was insufficient.

Stunning! What a conclusion to the match. Who would have thought that this match will go on till the last over? I think no one especially after Bangladesh scored only 141 in the main innings. Pakistan started gradually after losing the wicket of Babar Azam in the first over but then Hafeez looked good but discarded his wicket. Shoaib Malik the came in and stitched couple of good partnerships to get the team home. He scored a fifty and remained unbeaten. Pakistan may have had their hearts in the mouth when Rizwan top edged the last ball but Mithun dropped it. Malik was well supported by the debutant Ahsan Ali and that was the game there and then.

Soumya Sarkar to Mohammad Rizwan

DROPPED! Mohammad Mithun has dropped the game with this and Pakistan win. This was not an opportunity to drop a catch. Full conveyance on off, Rizwan hopes to heave it over the leg side but it takes the top edge and the ball goes towards profound mid-wicket. Mohammad Mithun settles himself under it but fails to hold onto it. The batters take two runs. PAKISTAN WIN BY 5 WICKETS.

Match; 1st T20I
Venue; Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 2020
Date & Time 24th January, 12:00
Series; Bangladesh in Pakistan, 3 T20I Series, 2020
Weather; Sunny
Toss; Bangladesh elected to bat
Umpires; Ahsan Raza (PAK),Shozab Raza (PAK) and Ahmed Shahab (PAK)
Referee; Ranjan Madugalle (SL)
Man of the Match; Shoaib Malik