Bangladesh vs Pakistan Ball by Ball Commentary

SIX! BANG! There it is! Shadab Khan does it for Pakistan! A partnership of 36 runs off 15 balls between these two and they have chased down the target eventually! Tossed up, around off. Khan gets down on his knee and slog-sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum! PAKISTAN WIN THE MATCH BY 4 WICKETS and they go 1-0 up in the series!

Flatter ball, outside off. Shadab Khan punches it to covers. 2 runs needed off 5 balls!

Who will bowl the final over? It is Aminul Islam. Just 2 runs needed for Pakistan.

Full ball, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz looks to dig it out but he misses. Pakistan are just 2 runs away from a win now!

SIX! BOOM! There is no stopping Mohammad Nawaz here and he is in the groove! Another ball that is shorter in length, outside off. Nawaz sits back and heaves it way over the mid-wicket region for a massive biggie.

Full ball, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz drives it to wide of deep cover and takes a couple of runs.

SIX! BANG! What a shot! This would ease some nerves in Pakistan's dugout! Back of a length, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz hangs back and hoicks it over long on for a biggie!

A very full ball, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz looks to dig it out but he misses.

Back of a length, around off. Shadab Khan taps it towards backward point and rotates the strike.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over and this is exactly the kind of over which Pakistan would have hoped for! Slower one, short and angling down leg. Mohammad Nawaz stays back and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. 15 from the over, 17 runs needed off 12 balls now!

A much-needed dot ball for the Bangla Tigers! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Mohammad Nawaz looks to heave it on the leg side but he misses.

Sensible batting from Shadab Khan! Good-length ball, around off. Khan taps it to backward point and takes off for a run.

SIX! This is a serious shot from Pakistan's all-rounder! Back of a length, outside off. Shadab Khan stays back, clears his front leg and tonks it over long off for a maximum.

Swing and a miss! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Shadab Khan looks to slog but he loses his shape and fails to get any bat on it.

FOUR! SMASHED! Width on offer and Shadab Khan latches onto it! Length ball, outside off. Khan carves it past the cover fielder and the ball races away to the fence.

A well-directed bouncer, around middle. Mohammad Nawaz ducks under it watchfully. A good over for Bangladesh as just 6 runs came off it and they also got the wicket of a set batter. 32 runs needed off 18 balls!

Mohammad Nawaz is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shoriful Islam strikes for Bangladesh and this is a huge moment of this game as another set batter in Khushdil Shah departs! Back of a length, way outside off. Shah reaches out and looks for a mighty heave on the leg side but only manages a thick outside edge. The ball goes straight to Nurul Hasan behind the sticks who does not make any mistake. The Bangla Tigers are well and truly on top now!

On a length, around off. Shadab Khan hangs back and drags it towards long on. The batters cross for a run.

Aerial but safe! Short of a length, just outside off. Khushdil Shah looks to pull but gets it away from the splice of the bat. The ball falls short of the deep square leg fielder. A single taken.

FOUR! Top shot! Back of a length, outside off. Khushdil Shah stands tall and powers it over extra cover for a boundary.

Short ball, outside off. Khushdil Shah reaches out and looks to pull but he gets the bottom half of the bat and the ball goes to the right of the bowler. Shoriful Islam reacts quickly and stops the single.

Shoriful Islam (2-0-10-0) is back on.

Back of a length, outside off. Khushdil Shah looks to cut but gets the bottom half of the bat on it. The ball rolls towards backward point. A single taken! 38 runs needed off 24 balls now!

Wide! Rahman hurls a bumper, but way over the batter's head. Khushdil Shah ducks underneath and the umpire calls it a wide.

Play and a miss! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Khushdil Shah shimmies down and looks for a heave on the leg side but fails to get any bat on it.

FOUR! A welcome boundary for Khushdil Shah and Pakistan! A low full toss, around off. Shah stays low and carves it past the deep cover fielder to collect a boundary.

On a length, around off. Shadab Khan stays back and heaves it towards deep square leg for a run. The fielder in the deep does well to keep it to just one.

Another ball, outside off, shorter in length. Khushdil Shah cuts it towards deep point and takes a single.

Back of a length, way outside off. Khushdil Shah reaches out to cut but does not get any bat on it.

Mustafizur Rahman (2-0-3-1) is back into the attack.

LEG BYE! A length ball, on the pads. Shah looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal but not given. The ball rolls to the keeper who has a shy at his end. He hits and the ball ricochets to the leg side for a leg bye. 46 needed in the last 5 overs.

Slower short ball, on middle. Shah looks to pull but toe-ends it to the cover region. Was cramped for room there.

Back of a length, outside off and a pacy delivery. Khushdil Shah looks to cut it but misses.

On a length, outside off, Shadab Khan taps it to third man and gets off the mark with a run.

Shadab Khan walks out to bat at number 7.

OUT! Caught behind! Fakhar Zaman departs and a big moment in the game! A length ball, outside off. Off-pace delivery again. Fakhar Zaman swings across the line but only gets a faint edge back to the keeper. Nurul Hasan, behind the stumps, takes a good low catch and Bangladesh are back in the game. 48 runs needed in 34 balls.

FOUR! Again the first ball of the over is gone for a boundary. Slower, short ball, at a comfortable height for Fakhar around leg. He pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. This pair is taking the game away from Bangladesh.

Fuller and outside off, Shah drives off the front foot but finds the fielder at extra cover. A dot ball to finish the over. 52 needed off 36 balls.

Flatter and on off, Fakhar taps it down in the gap at covers for one.

Tossed up, full and outside off, Shah tries to heave it over mid-wicket but only manages to play it down to long on. A single.

SIX! Gets a perfect hold on that one this time! Flatter by Mahmudullah and on middle, Khushdil Shah runs down the track and whips that over wide long on for a biggie. The 50-run stand comes up.

Tossing this one up, on middle, Fakhar Zaman blocks that one. A single taken.

Lucky! Mahmudullah bowls a flattish delivery, on middle. Khushdil Shah  was looking to go big but he manages only to get an inside edge. The ball sneaks past the stumps and the keeper and they take a single.

FOUR! Boundary to start the over and a boundary off the last ball too. Fuller, outside off. Fakhar Zaman stays deep in his crease and lifts this towards the extra cover region for a boundary. Another good over for Pakistan.

Slower, short ball, on off, Khushdil Shah pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower, a bit short and outside the off stump. Khushdil Shah initially thinks to go after it but withdraws at the last minute. Dot ball.

WIDE! Taskin Ahmed delivers this way too wide outside the off stump. Khushdil Shah tries to get his bat on that one but it is too wide.

Fuller ball, around off. Fakhar Zaman goes deep in his crease and looks to heave it away but mistimes. Gets a single to mid-wicket.

On a length, outside off. Fakhar swings hard across the line but misses.

Taskin Ahmed (2-0-15-1) comes back to bowl.

FOUR! Fakhar Zaman is the danger man here for Bangladesh. Short delivery, around middle and leg. Fakhar Zaman stays deep in his crease and pulls it behind square on the on side for a boundary.

Quicker again, flat and around off, it's forced down to long on for one. 7 from the over, 73 needed off 48 balls.

Quicker and on middle, it's worked through mid-wicket for a run. The fielder in the deep, Shamim Hossain, needlessly tries to slide and stop and misfields. Another run is pinched. Mahmudullah gives a stare to his fielder.

Shorter and around off, Zaman slaps it through backward point. The fielder in the deep runs across to his right and does well to stop the racing ball. Two taken.

Flatter, on a good length, outside off. Fakhar Zaman with a solid defense.

Back-of-a-length delivery, on off. Khushdil Shah punches that towards Mahmudullah as he dives but fails to cut that off. One run is taken.

Mahmudullah tosses this one up, on middle. Fakhar Zaman dances down the track, cannot get hold of this one and lofts it towards long on. A single taken.

FOUR! A boundary from the last ball spoils the over. Short delivery by Shoriful Islam, around leg. Khushdil Shah gets back and pulls it towards the backward square leg region for a boundary. 80 needed from 9 overs.

Back of a length, angling into the batter. Khushdil Shah works it towards the on side. Dot ball.

Off-pace delivery again. On a length, outside off, Fakhar Zaman late-cuts it to third man for a single.

On a length, outside off. Khushdil Shah steers it to third man for another single.

Back of a length, on off, Fakhar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Shoriful Islam bowls slower, short delivery again but it is over the head of the batter. Fakhar leaves it alone. Wide called for height.

Shoriful Islam bangs this short, slower and outside off. Fakhar Zaman cuts it straight to the point fielder.

Shoriful Islam (1-0-2-0) is back into the attack.

Flatter and shorter outside off, Fakhar slaps it through backward point. The fielder in the deep runs across to his right and makes a fine stop. Two taken.

Pulls his length back this time, outside off. Fakhar Zaman plays that to the man at backward point. No run.

A tad bit flatter, on middle. That's been nudged away to mid-wicket for a run.

Swing and a miss! Flatter delivery, outside off. Shah looks to play that towards point but misses it completely. Good start here for Mahmudullah.

A similar delivery, slower through the air, on middle, Khushdil Shah blocks it again. Two dots to begin with for Mahmudullah.

Skipper starts off with a flighted ball, on middle, Shah goes on the backfoot and defends that.

The skipper of Bangladesh, Mahmudullah brings himself into the attack.

Shorter length, around off. Fakhar Zaman gets back and blocks it towards the off side. End of a brilliant spell by Mahedi Hasan, 4-0-17-1.

Fuller again, around middle and leg. Khushdil Shah works it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Fuller, on the pads, Khushdil Shah nudges it behind square on the on side and gets back for two runs.

Quicker, angling into the body. Khushdil Shah looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Fuller, on middle. Khushdil Shah works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Slower, around off. Fakhar Zaman just pushes it off the back foot and sets off for a quick single. The fielder there runs across and fires in a throw at the bowler's end but misses. Single taken.

A touch short around off, not much room there, Shah plays it down defensively on the leg side.

Shoriful Islam takes the pace off this time, short and outside off. Fakhar Zaman cuts it towards covers for a run.

Shoriful Islam goes short and around off, extra pace there, Fakhar Zaman tries to pull but it flies over his willow.

On a good length this time, a little bit of width on offer. Khushdil Shah cuts that towards point for a single.

Short of a length, maintains the same line. Khushdil Shah blocks that solidly.

What a beauty to begin with! Shoriful Islam starts off with a back-of-a-length delivery, just outside off. Khushdil Shah is beaten on the outside edge. Half an appeal from Bangladesh.

Shoriful Islam is into the attack.

Fuller and slower through the air, on the off stump line. Fakhar Zaman blocks it.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Pakistan! Slightly shorter, outside off. Fakhar Zaman gets on the back foot and punches it wide of the diving point fielder. The fielder at the deep runs across and  dives  full-length but fails to stop it. The ball rolls away towards the ropes.

Mahedi Hasan delivers this slightly short of a fuller length, on middle and off. Fakhar Zaman works it towards the on side.

Fuller, on off. Fakhar Zaman blocks it off the front foot.

Shorter length, in the line of the stumps. Khushdil Shah pushes it to long on for a single.

Slower, in the air, nicely tossed up on the off stump line. Fakhar Zaman gets forward and defends it off the front foot towards the off side for a single.

Khushdil Shah walks out to bat now.

OUT! Bizarre run out! Lazy, very lazy from an experienced campaigner. A length ball, on off, Malik defends it under his eyes and the ball rolls back to the keeper off the under-edge. Nurul Hasan picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end. He finds the stumps and at the same time, Malik is seen to be plonking his bat down inside the crease. Is he gone? Bangladesh are confident, they are appealing and the square leg umpire refers it upstairs. The replays roll in, it's touch and go. The third umpire watches two angles and in both the frames, it appears that one of the bails has come off before the bat is grounded. OUT flashes on the giant screen and the crowd goes mad. At the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan are tottering at 24/4, needing 104 more for a win.

A run out decision has been sent upstairs! Shoaib Malik looks to be in a spot of bother and the players of Bangladesh are confident as they think that they have got rid of Malik here!

Full and on off. Malik drives it straight to the point fielder.

A length ball, outside off. Left alone.

A length ball, outside off. Zaman dabs it to the backward point fielder who dives to his right and stops it. A quick single.

Angles it on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket.

On a length, on off. Zaman solidly blocks it out.

Shoaib Malik walks out to bat at number 5.

Review time! Haider Ali has opted for a review after getting adjudged LBW. Huge moment in this game! Has he got any bat on it? It does not seem so! The UltraEdge confirms it as well. The Ball Tracker indicates three reds and Haider Ali is in trouble!

OUT! LBW! That looked plumb to the naked eye! It's tossed up, full and around off. Haider Ali gets on his knee and tries to sweep but misses and is hit on the back thigh. They appeal confidently and up goes the finger straightaway. After consulting with his fellow partner, Haider takes the review. UltraEdge shows no bat but the Ball Tracker shows three reds and Haider Ali has to walk back without troubling the scorers.

On middle, Haider Ali wrists it to mid-wicket but not in the gap. Pressure building.

Flatter, quicker and on middle. Ali rocks back and punches it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, on off. Zaman skips down and works it to mid-wicket for a quick single. The fielder there does well to stop it.

This one stays low, full and outside off, pushed to point.

Fllater and on off. Defended out.

Mahedi Hasan (1-0-4-0) is back on.

Haider Ali walks out to bat.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Well, Babar Azam did get a lifeline but failed to capitalize on it. A length ball, around off, this one comes back in. Babar Azam tries to steer it late towards third man but the ball is too close to work it down. Ends up getting an inside edge and chops it back onto the stumps. Both the openers are back in the hut very early - something Pakistan are not used to. 106 runs needed in 96 balls.

Around off, on a length, pushed to covers.

FOUR! Good shot! A length ball, around off. Azam pulls it to mid-wicket for a boundary. Inspects his bat after the shot.

This one shoots off the surface. 143 clicks. A short ball, around off. Azam looks to pull but misses. The keeper does well to collect this one with a jump. The replays, later on, show that there was an outside edge. No one appealed, oh dear! An opportunity missed.

Short and on middle, pulled away to deep square leg for a single.

A length ball, outside off. Azam gets on his toes as he drives it to point where the fielder dives to his left and stops it. Stops a certain boundary. A single.

A length ball, way outside off. Zaman tries to chase this away from his body but fails to get any bat on it. A muted appeal is there for caught behind but nothing doing. End of a successful first over from Mustafizur Rahman.

Fuller and on off. Zaman pushes it to covers.

Fakhar Zaman is the new man in.

OUT! BOWLED! A proper inswinger from Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Rizwan has no answers to it. A length ball at 129.7 kph, shaping back in sharply from around off. Mohammad Rizwan looks to play at it from the back foot but gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball sneaks through to rattle the off stump. The crowd is pumped and so is Mustafizur Rahman.

WIDE! Was there a nick? Mustafizur Rahman thinks so. A full ball, down the leg side. Rizwan misses his flick. An appeal from Rahman for caught behind but the umpire instead signals a wide.

LEG BYE! A length ball, on the pads. Azam misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A leg bye as the ball rolls past short fine leg.

On a length, outside off. Rizwan dabs it with soft hands to short third man and takes a single.

SWING AND A MISS! A full ball, slanting across outside off. Rizwan tries to drive it but fails to connect.

Mustafizur Rahman comes to bowl now.

Full ball, on middle. Rizwan tucks it to mid on and takes a quick single. 9 coming off the over.

On a length, outside off. Rizwan pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs.

FOUR! First boundary of the chase! A length ball, outside off. Mohammad Rizwan lunges and drives it through point for a boundary.

This one stays low, full and on off. Rizwan blocks it out back on the deck.

WIDE! A length ball, angling down the leg side. Mohammad Rizwan misses his pull. A lone appeal for caught behind from the keeper follows.

In the air but safe! Short of a length, this one climbs and gets big on Azam as he tries to flick it. Hits it over short mid-wicket and takes a single.

Starts with a length ball, this one stays low off the deck, outside off. Azam taps it to covers.

Taskin Ahmed to bowl from the other end.

Good start for Bangladesh! A loopy ball, on middle. Rizwan hits it back to the bowler. A tidy start from Hasan.

Full again, on middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on middle. Kept out.

Gets deceived. This one skids away. Flatter and wide outside off. Mohammad Rizwan skips down and fails to read the variation. Somehow, he hits it over the jumping point fielder and collects three runs.

Flatter and on middle. Blocked out.

Edgy start for Pakistan! A tossed up ball, full and on middle. Rizwan closes the face of his bat too early and gets a soft leading edge towards cover.

SIX! WHACKED! Bangladesh END ON A HIGH! 15 runs came off the last over! Rauf bangs it into the deck, around middle. Taskin Ahmed backs away and sends it sailing way, way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie! Bangladesh finish with 127/7.

In the air, but safe! A slower ball, on a length, around middle and leg. Mahedi Hasan looks to flick but he gets a leading edge and the ball falls just wide of the point fielder. A single taken!

Full ball, around off. Mahedi Hasan hits it hard and straight back to the bowler. Haris Rauf is late to react, he gets hit on his shin and the ball ricochets towards the vacant mid-wicket region. The batters take a couple.

Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Mahedi Hasan carves it straight to the extra cover fielder.

A mandatory concussion test for Mahedi Hasan as he gets hit on the helmet. The physios are out for a quick check-up. Mahedi looks okay and we are ready to resume. Also, Pakistan have taken a review for catch as the ball had lobbed up to point. There was no bat as shown on the UltraEdge and they lose their review.

NASTY! A well-directed bumper from Rauf, around middle. Mahedi Hasan looks to pull but he misses as the ball hurries onto him and he gets hit on his helmet. That would have shaken him up. The ball lobs up to point where Shadab collects it. More than appealing, the focus is on Mahedi. Is he fine?

SIX! Cheeky from Mahedi Hasan! Length ball, around middle. Hasan stays low, shuffles across and scoops it over fine leg for a biggie! He is playing a very crucial cameo for his side here!

Swing and a miss! A full ball, way outside off. Taskin Ahmed stays back and looks to go downtown but he fails to get any blade on it.

Length ball, around leg. Taskin Ahmed tucks it behind square on the leg side and collects a couple of runs to get off the mark!

Taskin Ahmed walks out.

OUT! BOWLED! You miss, I hit, says Hasan Ali! Another slower ball, on a length, outside off at 118.6 kph. Aminul Islam hangs back and looks to heave it away across the line but he misses and the ball crashes onto the off pole. Hasan Ali picks up his third wicket!

Length ball, just outside off. Mahedi Hasan drives hard but finds Babar Azam at mid off. A single taken!

Good running! A low full toss, around off. Mahedi Hasan digs it out off the inner edge to the mid-wicket area and comes back for the second run.

SIX! BANG! A slower ball, into the pitch, around middle, Mahedi Hasan gets into a good position, stays back and thumps it way, way over deep mid-wicket for a maximum!

Just a single to end the over! Length ball, around off. Mahedi Hasan pushes it wide of mid off and takes a run. Just 5 runs off the over, a couple of excellent last overs from Pakistan.

Good-length ball, just outside off. Aminul Islam pushes it towards point. Shadab Khan there dives and stops the ball. The batters cross for a single.

Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Mahedi Hasan drags it towards deep square leg for a run.

Length ball, darted on the pads. Aminul Islam tucks it behind square on the leg side for one.

Back of a length, outside off. Aminul Islam stays back and leaves it alone. Bangladesh need to make a move on here if they are to post a decent total!

Good-length ball, around off. Mahedi Hasan taps it to the left of the bowler and collects a single.

Haris Rauf (2-0-13-0) is back into the attack.

A dot to end the over! Length ball, outside off. Aminul Islam shoulders arms to this one.

Aminul Islam is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hasan Ali has the last laugh! A full ball, outside off. Nurul Hasan reaches out and looks to slog but he only manages a thick outside edge. The ball goes straight to Mohammad Rizwan behind the sticks who gulps it down. End of a short but entertaining knock from Nurul.

This is very sloppy from Shadab Khan at backward point who is generally very sharp in that area! A slower ball, on a length, around off. Nurul Hasan taps it towards backward point and takes off for a run. Shadab Khan runs forward but fails to collect the ball cleanly. The batters take one more.

Some issues with the sightscreen. Nurul Hasan is not happy with it and asks the bowler to wait.

Lovely change of pace from Hasan Ali! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Nurul Hasan looks to heave it away but fails to get any blade on it.

Another ball which is fuller in length, outside off. Mahedi Hasan drills it to long off for a run.

Overpitched ball, outside off. Nurul Hasan digs it out to the left of the bowler and takes off for a single.

Hasan Ali (2-0-7-1) is back into the attack.

Short of a length, outside off. Nurul Hasan tucks it to the leg side and keeps the strike for the next over. 12 runs off the over, 25 in the last two!

SIX! BOOM! Length ball, in the slot, outside off. Nurul Hasan sits back in his crease and smokes it over long off for a biggie! A much-needed maximum for Bangladesh!

Full ball, on the pads. Nurul Hasan powers it back past the bowler. Hasan Ali runs across from long on and puts in a dive to save a couple of runs for his side.

Full ball, outside off. Nurul Hasan backs away and looks to reach out but he misses.

Wide! Wasim bangs it into the deck, just outside off. Nurul Hasan lets it be. The umpire calls it a wide as the ball went well over the batter.

A slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Mahedi Hasan pulls it along the ground towards deep square leg for a run.

Back of a length, around middle. Nurul Hasan skips down and pushes it to cover-point. Shadab Khan there half-stops it and keeps it to just one.

FOUR! Mahedi Hasan gets a boundary on the last ball! Shorter ball, outside off. Mahedi Hasan rocks back and cuts it wide of point for a boundary. 13 from the over, an expensive end to a fabuouls spell from Shadab, 4-1-20-1.

Shorter, quicker, around off. Mahedi Hasan looks to cut it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Lucky escape for Mahedi Hasan.

Tossed up, on off, Nurul Hasan pushes this down to long on for a single.

SIX! Much needed for Bangladesh. Tossed up, on off, Nurul Hasan stays in his crease and lifts this straight down the ground for a biggie.

Tossed up delivery, Mahedi Hasan skips down the track and takes it on the full as he looks to slog it away. But he gets the bottom of his blade on it and the ball travels to long on. A single is taken.

Shadab Khan bowls this shorter, outside off. Nurul Hasan pulls it wide of long on for a single.

Play and a miss! A big grunt from the bowler as he serves a short ball outside off at 87 mph, Mahedi attempts to cut it from the back foot but misses.

This one is speared in full around off, at 87 clicks, Hasan has his bat down in time to keep it out safely.

Wide called for height! Effort ball from Wasim, he digs it in short but the ball goes way over the head of the batter.

A touch short and around off, Nurul gets cramped for room, jumps a bit awkwardly as he tucks it in the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Nurul Hasan decides to take the aerial route this time. Lucky for him, it falls in no man's land. On a length, on middle, and Nurul Hasan hits that over the cover fielder, and they will pick up a couple of runs.

On a good length, nipping into the batter. Nurul Hasan blocks that onto the pitch.

Mohammad Wasim (2-0-7-2) is back into the attack.

Good length, outside off. Mahedi Hasan stays on the back foot and chops that towards third man for a single.

Full and on middle. Hasan tucks it away to square leg for a single. End of a successful over for the leggie.

Mahedi Hasan comes out to bat.

OUT! Stumped! The danger man departs! Fuller and quicker, outside off. Googly again and Afif Hossain fails to read it as he looks to drive it away after dancing down the track. Misses the ball and Mohammad Rizwan, behind the stumps, whips the bails off. Afif Hossain's back leg is outside the crease and he has to go back to the hut. That's a big blow to Bangladesh.

Quicker, outside off. Googly, left alone by Afif Hossain.

Another flatter and shorter delivery. Nurul Hasan cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Quicker, shorter, on off. Nurul Hasan cuts it to the point fielder.

Shadab Khan (2-1-4-0) comes back to bowl.

Slower through the air, googly and in the line of the stumps. Afif Hossain looks to work it towards the on side but gets a leading edge. It goes safely to the off side and they pick up a single.

Superb thinking from Haris Rauf. The follow-up delivery is a well-cooked bouncer, Nurul is hurried up by the extra pace and plays a mistimed pull towards wide mid on. A top over.

A terrific yorker, outside off and very quick, Nurul tries to dig it out but fails.

Collision but no harm done. On a length around off, Afif taps it down on the leg side, near the pitch and takes a quick run. Rauf runs towards the ball and collides with Nurul but no harm is done. Smiles exchanged.

That's another short delivery by Haris Rauf, served near the hips this time. Nurul Hasan works that away to square leg. They cross.

Short of a length, outside off. Afif Hossain dabs that to third man. Single taken.

Haris Rauf starts his second over with a back-of-a-length delivery, way wide outside off. Nurul Hasan stands tall and nudges that towards third man for a single.

Haris Rauf (1-0-9-0) is back on.

Fuller, on the stumps, Afif Hossain nudges it to the on side. A dot ball to end a good over for Bangladesh. 15 runs coming from the over.

Fuller, outside off, Afif Hossain opens the face of his blade and guides it behind square on the off side for a couple.

Fuller and around off, blocked.

SIX! Another biggie! Tossed up delivery again, on the stumps. Afif Hossain charges down the track again and smashes this towards the sightscreen for a biggie. He has decided to play his shots.

SIX! This is what Bangladesh needed! Fuller delivery, on off. Afif Hossain skips down the track and smashes it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Low full toss, on off, Nurul Hasan drives it to long off for a single.

Flatter and fuller googly, around off, Afif keeps it out from the back foot. A maiden over to end the first half of this game. Bangladesh are 40/4.

Review time! Afif Hossain has opted for a review straightaway after getting rapped on the pads and adjudged lbw. The Ball Tracker suggests that the ball would have spun past the off stump and it is missing the wickets! Afif Hossain survives and the on-field decision is overturned!

SAFE! Missing the off stump! A good review. A loopy googly, landing full around middle and turning away, Afif Hossain goes down to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. They appeal and the finger has gone up. Hossain opts for the DRS and the Ball Tracker finds that it's missing the off stumps.

Googly around off, sharply spinning away, Afif Hossain fails to pick and is beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Tossing it up this time, fuller length, and that's been driven to cover. Dot ball.

Flatter, on off, Afif Hossain pushes that away towards the off side, no run there.

Shadab Khan goes flatter, outside off. Afif Hossain comes up with a perfect front foot defense.

Nurul Hasan walks out to bat.

The on-field umpires have sent the decision upstairs as Pakistan's players are celebrating and they claim that Mahmudullah has been cleaned up here! The Bangla skipper feels that the keeper has dislodged the bails, he is not moving. Let's see what has happened...

OUT! Bowled! Mahmudullah departs! Mohammad Nawaz tosses this up nicely around middle and leg. Mahmudullah looks to defend it off the front foot but gets beaten by the turn and the ball just kisses one of the bails. Mahmudullah is not sure, he feels that the wicketkeeper has taken the bails off. The umpire decides to go to the third umpire and the replays show there is no contact from Rizwan and one bail has dropped down on its own after getting shaved by the ball. Beautiful delivery. The bounce did the trick.

Dot ball! Fuller, flatter, on off. Mahmudullah defends it off the front foot.

On the pads, Afif Hossain works it to square leg for another single.

Mohammad Nawaz again sprays this on the pads. Mahmudullah looks to tuck it away but misses and gets a leg bye to short fine leg.

Fuller, on the pads, Afif Hossain clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Slower in the air, on off, Afif Hossain gets forward and defends it.

An attempted googly from Shadab but it's too short and Mahmudullah gets back to pull. He does well to connect but the placement is not too accurate. Just a single as the ball is cut off at deep square leg.

Flatter and outside off, Mahmudullah reaches out and drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Loopy and full around middle, nudged behind square leg for a single.

This one is drifting into Mahmudullah on middle. He pushes it to mid-wicket for single.

Goes short of a length this time, outside off. Mahmudullah punches that off the back foot but finds the man at point.

Shadab Khan starts off with a flighted delivery, on middle, too full on that occasion. Mahmudullah blocks that comfortably.

Shadab Khan comes into the attack now.

Fuller, on off. Mahmudullah gets forward and defends it off the front foot towards covers and takes a quick single. Retains the strike.

Mohammad Nawaz bowls this again on the pads. Mahmudullah tucks it to the fine leg region and gets a couple.

Shorter length, down the leg side. Afif Hossain pulls it behind square on the on side for a single.

Fuller, on the pads. Afif Hossain works it to the on side. Dot ball.

FOUR! This time he bowls this shorter, outside off. Afif Hossain cuts it hard towards the cover region. The fielder in the deep runs across and dives but fails to stop the ball cleanly. He had pushed it back but the ball rolled back to touch him when he was in contact with the fence. The onfield umpire is conveyed the same and a boundary is signalled.

Mohammad Nawaz bowls this slower, on the pads. Afif Hossain nudges it to short fine leg.

Mohammad Nawaz comes back to bowl. Just 2 runs came from his first over!

Full and angling on the pads. Afif Hossain wrists it to mid on for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangladesh are struggling at 25/3.

Well fielded at the cover region! A length ball, outside off. Mahmudullah knocks it to cover where the fielder does well to stop it partially. A single is taken.

On a length, on off. Mahmudullah taps it to point.

Comes around the wicket and serves a length ball, outside off. Afif Hossain slaps it to point where the fielder misfields and allows a single.

WIDE! Again spills it down the leg side. Afif Hossain misses his nudge.

BEATEN! A length ball, outside off. Afif Hossain looks to push it but fails to connect.

FOUR! First boundary of the innings and it has come in the last over of the Powerplay! Tells you about the sorry state of Bangladesh's batting. A full ball, on the pads. Afif Hossain tickles it fine and towards fine leg for a boundary.

WIDE! A length ball, spilled down the leg side. Afif Hossain misses his flick and the ball goes to the right of the keeper, Mohammad Rizwan who dives to stop the ball.

Haris Rauf comes into the attack.

Very full, on off. Afif Hossain squeezes it out to third man and keeps the strike with a single.

A length ball by Wasim. Defended out.

Mahmudullah, the skipper of Bangladesh, walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Pakistan all over Bangladesh right now. They are not letting them get on the front foot whatsoever. Wasim hurls a short ball now, on middle. Najmul Hossain Shanto steps back and tries to pull but gets a top edge, high in the air and towards the non-striker's end. Mohammad Wasim sprints back and takes a good catch.

A length ball, outside off. Afif Hossain opens the face of the bat and steers it down to third man for a single.

Just short of mid-wicket! A length ball, on middle, Najmul Hossain Shanto tries to play across the line but toe-ends it instead. Hits it towards mid-wicket where the fielder dives forward but the ball drops short of him. A single taken.

On a length, on middle, worked to square leg for a single.

A length ball, angling across outside off. Shanto comes down the track as he looks to go big but fails to get any bat on it.

Full ball, around the leg stump. Najmul Hossain Shanto misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

BEATEN! Short in length, just around off. Najmul Hossain Shanto hangs back to defend but gets beaten again.

An appeal for caught behind but nothing from the umpire. A short ball, around leg. Najmul Hossain Shanto hops and looks to tuck it away but the ball seems to take something on its way to the keeper. A high appeal but not given. Babar Azam opts not to take the review.  Maybe, it came off the pads.

On the pads and on a length. Afif Hossain tucks it to mid-wicket for a sharp single.

Fuller, swinging in, on middle. Shanto tucks it off the inner half towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Afif Hossain is the new man in.

OUT! Both the openers are back in the hut and the Pakistani pacers are doing a brilliant job at the moment. Wasim steams in and pitches this one full and outside off, Saif Hassan is late as he tries to push it but only manages a thick outside edge to the first slip region where Fakhar Zaman takes a simple catch.

A full ball, outside off. Saif Hassan pushes it to mid off who half-stops but does not allow any run.

Easy single! On the pads, this is flicked to square leg for a single.

Two taken! A length ball, around middle and leg. Shanto stays back and turns it through square leg for a brace.

Again hits the length and lands it on middle, Shanto nudges it to mid-wicket and looks for a single but is sent back early.

On a length, on off. Najmul Hossain Shanto solidly blocks it out.

Mohammad Wasim comes to bowl now.

A length ball, around leg. Shanto looks to work it on the leg side but gets a leading edge and the ball clears the cover fielder. A single. Good over from Hasan Ali.

On a length, on middle. Hassan tucks it on the leg side for a single.

WIDE! Ali misses his line and spills it down the leg side. Hassan misses his tuck.

BEATEN! Lovely delivery! A length ball, swinging away, outside off. Saif Hassan looks to have a go at it but misses and gets beaten on the outside edge. Ali making the ball move here.

Najmul Hossain Shanto is off the mark. Ali targets the pads. Shanto flicks it to square leg for a single.

SWING AND A MISS! A length ball, outside off. Najmul Hossain Shanto looks to drive but fails to get any bat on it.

Najmul Hossain Shanto walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hasan Ali strikes on his very first ball, that's some way to make a statement. A full ball, shaping away, across the left-hander. Mohammad Naim tries to chase a wayward delivery but only manages an outside edge to the keeper, Mohammad Rizwan, who pouches it easily.

WIDE! This one shapes away from the left-hander. Full and down the leg side. Naim misses his flick.

Who will bowl from the other end? Hasan Ali it is. He would like to leave behind the disappointment of dropping a crucial catch in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup by making a statement with the ball.

Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan, says that they wanted to bowl first. He adds that they will be looking to restrict Bangladesh around 140-150. He mentions about the winning culture in the team they want to develop and adds that Shaheen Afridi is not playing.

Darted on the pads, flicked to square leg. Good start from Mohammad Nawaz.

WIDE! Full and down the leg side. Saif Hassan misses his flick. Wide given.

A flighted ball, around off. Saif Hassan tries to go inside-out but mistimes it to cover.

Full again and angling on middle. Saif Hassan nudges it to mid-wicket.

An arm ball now, full and on off. Saif Hassan blocks it out.

Bangladesh and Mohammad Naim are off the mark. A tossed up ball, full and on middle. Naim tucks it to the mid-wicket region and takes a single.

Starts with a flatter ball, outside off. Naim punches it to cover.

We are set for the game to begin! Pakistan players have made their way out to the middle. Mohammad Naim and Saif Hassan are at the crease. Mohammad Nawaz to start with the ball.

PITCH REPORT - Ed Rainsford is down near the pitch. He informs us that 146 is an average first innings score. He says that there is a little bit of live grass and some bare patches. Further adds that it's a two-paced wicket and if he was the captain he would have bowled first.

Mahmudullah, the skipper of Bangladesh, says they will bat first. Adds that they need to look forward as it is a new team and it is a good opportunity for all the youngsters. Tells that their young players are excited and it is a great opportunity for them. Says that he will miss some of the experienced players but they will try their best. Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, says that he would have bowled anyway. He feels that it's a 140-150 track and informs that Shaheen Afridi is not in the XI. Also mentions about the winning culture in the team they want to develop.

Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah (C), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (WK), Aminul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf.

TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of BANGLADESH. They have elected to BAT first.

Pakistan, on other hand, will be looking at this series as an opportunity to strengthen their bench strength. There were no major areas of concern in the Pakistan unit in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and this series provides a perfect opportunity for them to try some new combinations. The likes of Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz are set to be given some much-needed game time while the top order and the core bowling group remain intact. As the countdown for the next T20 World Cup begins, giving opportunities to some of the younger bowlers like Mohammad Wasim, Usman Qadir can also prove vital in terms of creating more options in the team. The conditions in Dhaka in recent times have been spin-friendly and whether that trend continues or not remains to be seen. Either way, Pakistan are a formidable unit and it is upto the Bangla Tigers to replicate their recent successful run at home. Can they outclass Pakistan? We shall find out. Stay tuned.

The home team, Bangladesh are looking to make a fresh start after a miserable T20 World Cup campaign. In a desperate bid to solve their batting woes, the team management has opted for young talents like Najmul Hossain Shanto, Saif Hassan over more experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar. Their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is also missing out due to an injury. The lack of consistent performances and firepower in the batting lineup has been an issue for the Bangla Tigers for a long time now and they will be hoping to sort that out with the change in personnel in this series. Their bowling, on the other hand, has been doing quite decently especially on the home turf in recent times and more of the same will be expected from them. They will definitely carry some confidence into this game after securing emphatic victories in the last two series. Can they produce another similar performance?

The T20 action continues to roll on as the bilateral T20I series between Bangladesh and Pakistan get underway. Pakistan had almost a perfect T20 World Cup campaign before that heartbreaking loss in the semi-final but still, they will be high on confidence coming into this series. On the other hand, Bangladesh had a forgettable World Cup after failing to register a single win in the Super 12 stage of the tournament. They are back at their home turf now and we can expect a better show from the Bangla Tigers. On that note, welcome to our coverage.

...Match Day...