Unchanged Bangladesh opt to bat first in 2nd T20 against Pakistan

Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad won the toss and opted to bat first in the second T20 of the three-match series against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts, aiming to level the series, following their four-wicket defeat in the first game, remained unchanged.

The pitch is considered to be good for batting unlike the first game.

Pakistan, however, rested pacer Hasan Ali, who was instrumental in the side's hard-fought victory, claiming 3-22.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was given rest in the game, replaced him as Pakistan are eyeing to wrap up the series with a match to go.

Pakistan were left at tricky 24-4 in the first game before a stubborn 56-run partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah brought them back in the contest. Later, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz pulled off a blitz to break the stranglehold of Bangladesh.

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Naim Sheikh, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain, Mahmudullah (captain), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wicket-keeper), Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Aminul Islam Biplob.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr.