Bangladesh crush Pakistan by 8 wickets in the ODI series opener

Nahid Rana produced a dazzling show of fast bowling before Tanzid Hasan anchored Bangladesh in a short chase to crush Pakistan by 8 wickets in the ODI series opener.

Rana delivered a devastating spell, claiming 5 for 24 from seven overs, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 3 for 29 to wrap up Pakistan’s innings in just 30.4 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan began on a steady note as openers Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat put together 41 runs for the first wicket.

Farhan struck 27 and Sadaqat added 18 before Rana ignited Bangladesh’s charge, slicing through the top order with a burst that removed the first five batsmen.

The visitors never recovered from that collapse. Only Mohammad Rizwan, who made 10, and Faheem Ashraf -- whose fighting 37 was the highest score of the innings -- managed to reach double figures as Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout to bowl them out for a meagre 114.

Chasing the small target, Bangladesh lost Saif Hassan (4) early, but Tanzid Hasan anchored the innings with composure. He forged a crucial second-wicket partnership of 82 with Najmul Hossain Shanto (27), steering the Tigers towards victory.

The finale came in anticlimactic fashion when Mohammad Wasim’s wide delivery down the leg side handed Bangladesh a commanding win, giving the home side a 1-0 lead in the series.