Sports reporter : In an era defined by power-hitting and relentless scoring, the final ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Mirpur unfolded like a throwback to an older age of cricket.It was a contest shaped not by brute force but by patience, grit, and sudden drama — a match where two masterful centuries from Tanzid Hasan and Salman Agha towered above everything else on a worn, unpredictable pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.When the dust settled, Bangladesh had edged a gripping encounter to seal a 2–1 series victory, claiming their second successive bilateral ODI series over Pakistan after 11 years.
The drama reached its peak in the final over. Pakistan needed 14 runs with one wicket remaining.Shaheen Shah Afridi stood at the crease, while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain prepared to deliver the decisive blows. On the second ball, Afridi skied a catch towards mid-on, only for Rishad — sprinting back — to spill the chance that might have sealed the match instantly.
The tension thickened: 12 required from two balls. A wide was initially signalled before Bangladesh successfully reviewed to overturn it, virtually throwing the match beyond Pakistan with 12 needed from the final delivery.
Yet the match had not always seemed destined for such a heartstopping climax. For much of the evening Bangladesh had controlled proceedings.Pakistan’s chase of 291 began disastrously as Taskin Ahmed ripped through the top order. Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Rizwan fell inside the powerplay, while Nahid Rana removed Maaz Sadaqat to reduce Pakistan to early distress.
Debutants Ghazi Ghori and Abdul Samad attempted to steady the innings with a stubborn 50-run partnership. Their stand was scrappy and uncertain, punctuated by several near run-outs and hesitant calls between the wickets.Bangladesh’s fielding lapses — including a handful of misfields and missed chances — allowed Pakistan to linger in the contest. Ghori, riding his luck, struck 3 boundaries and a bold six before falling for 29, while Samad departed soon after for 34.
By then Pakistan were 67 for 4, and the chase appeared almost beyond them. But Agha had other ideas.Walking in under pressure, Agha constructed a superb counterattack, finding support in another debutant, Saad Masood. The pair added 59 runs before Mustafizur Rahman shattered the partnership by rattling Masood’s stumps.
Even then Agha continued unfazed, driving elegantly down the ground and punishing anything loose.His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression: 9 fours and 4 towering sixes illuminated his path to a magnificent century. When he raised his hundred with a powerful strike off Rana in the 45th over, Pakistan still required 48 runs from 35 balls.
Agha and Afridi launched a late assault, adding 52 runs in less than eight overs. But hopes faded in the 48th over when Agha miscued off Taskin and was caught.Afridi kept the fight alive with a spirited 37 from 38 balls, hammering 2 fours and 2 sixes, but the final twist eluded Pakistan.Earlier, Bangladesh had built their total around Tanzid’s dazzling maiden ODI century.Batting on a visibly worn surface, Tanzid combined flair with discipline, striking 6 fours and 7 sixes while anchoring the innings.
His 105-run opening stand with Saif Hassan laid the foundation before he reached his hundred with a towering strike over the ropes — celebrating with a humble prostration amid the humid Mirpur evening with Iftar approaching.Towhid Hridoy’s late surge of 48 ensured Bangladesh finished strongly at 290 for 5.Two images lingered long after the crowd had dispersed: Tanzid smiling after his milestone, and Agha walking back slowly, his brilliant hundred not quite enough to finish the job.
