Mirpur: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi clinched the series after losing the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh by 11 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking in the post-match presentation, Afridi said he was proud of his team’s efforts, especially the opportunities given to emerging players throughout the series.
“Really credit to the team. We gave the youngsters a chance and fought till the last ball. Agha always likes to play spinners and fast bowlers. He has played a good innings for a long time. The youngsters played a one-day game for the first time,” Shaheen said.
The left-arm seamer praised the individual performances and stressed the importance of supporting the younger members of the team.
“We are very proud of the way they played and we will support them. I tried (in his performance). Rishad bowled well, congratulations to Bangladesh, they played well. There is always improvement,” he said.
Looking to the future, Shaheen underlined the importance of fitness and development within the squad.
“You need to work hard and be fit in all areas but they are young and played good cricket and we will back them,” he concluded.
Batting first, Bangladesh amassed 290-5 in 50 overs, with Saif Hasan and Danzid Hasan’s dominant opening partnership putting Pakistan bowlers under immediate pressure.
Tanzid scored a fluent 107 – his maiden ODI century – which included six fours and seven sixes. Dowhid Hridoi remained unbeaten with 48 runs, Liton Das with 41 runs and Saif Hassan with 36 runs.
Haris Raub, who bowled well for Pakistan, took 3 wickets for 52 runs in his 10 overs, while Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket each.
In reply, Pakistan’s chase got off to a nightmare start as both openers fell in the first two overs.
Despite the early setbacks, Salman Ali Agha produced a brilliant century – his third in ODI cricket – scoring 106 off 98 balls with nine fours and four sixes.
Captain Shaheen Afridi added a valuable 37 runs while debutants Saad Masood and Gazi Ghori chipped in with 38 and 29 runs respectively.
Abdul Samad also added 34 runs, but the innings eventually folded for 279 runs.
Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers, returning figures of 4/49 from his 10 overs. Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets, Nahid Rana took two wickets and Rishad Hossain took one wicket.