Agha’s century in vain as Bangladesh edge Pakistan to win ODI series 2-1
Salman Ali Agha plays a sweep shot during the third ODI against Bangladesh at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Salman Ali Agha’s fighting century went in vain as Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 11 runs in a nail-biting third ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, securing the three-match series 2-1.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to field, a decision that backfired as Bangladesh openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan added 105 runs for the first wicket. Shaheen Shah Afridi eventually broke the stand by dismissing Hassan for 38.
Tanzid, who went on to score a century, forged further partnerships with Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das, each adding more than 50 runs. Shanto scored 107 off as many deliveries, including seven sixes and six boundaries, while Das and Towhid Hridoy contributed 41 and 48 respectively, helping Bangladesh post 290/5 in their 50 overs.
Pakistan fall short despite @SalmanAliAgha1's fighting century 💯
Bangladesh win by 11 runs to claim the series 2-1.#BANvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/ESWKTOwiYxHaris Rauf was Pakistan’s most successful bowler with three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed and Afridi claimed one each.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early as three wickets fell for just 17 runs, including former captain Mohammad Rizwan. Debutant Ghazi Ghori and Abdul Samad added 50 runs for the fourth wicket before both fell quickly, leaving Pakistan at 82/5.
Salman Ali Agha and another debutant, Saad Masood, then added 79 runs for the sixth wicket. Masood scored 38 before falling, while Faheem Ashraf contributed just nine.
Agha, who was the only force keeping Pakistan in the hunt, held his nerve and forged another crucial partnership with Afridi, scoring a brilliant century to take the score to 261.
At that stage, Pakistan needed 30 runs off 15 balls, but as victory seemed within reach, Bangladesh staged another fightback, breaking the partnership by taking the key wicket of Agha, who finished with 107 runs, including four towering sixes and nine boundaries.
Afridi kept Pakistan in contention with two sixes in the penultimate over, leaving 14 runs required in the final over. However, Rishad Hossain held his composure, conceding just two runs, and Pakistan were bowled out for 279 on the last ball of the match.
Afridi made a valiant 37 off 38 balls, but it was not enough as Bangladesh secured an 11-run win and the series 2-1.
Centurion Tanzid Hasan was named Player of the Match, while Nahid Rana was awarded Player of the Series for his eight wickets across the three-match contest.