'Even I was afraid': Miraz relieved after tense win

Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz admitted he felt tense at times but praised his players for holding their nerve as the Tigers edged Pakistan by 11 runs in a thrilling third and final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday to seal a 2-1 series victory.

Bangladesh looked well on course for victory after posting 290 for five and reducing Pakistan to 209 for seven in the 40th over. However, Salman Agha struck a superb 106 off 98 balls and shared a 52-run stand with Shaheen Shah Afridi for the eighth wicket to drag the visitors back into the contest.

Pacer Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh’s standout bowler on the day with figures of 4-49, eventually removed Agha to ease the pressure on the hosts. Afridi’s late assault then reignited Pakistan’s hopes, bringing the equation down to 14 runs from the final over.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who had conceded 54 runs in his first six overs, produced a nerveless final over, giving away just two runs before dismissing Afridi to seal the win. Pakistan were bowled out for 279 on the last ball of the innings, with Afridi stumped by Litton Das after scoring 37 off 38 balls.

The victory also lifted Bangladesh to ninth in the ODI rankings, leapfrogging the West Indies cricket team and strengthening their hopes of direct qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.

Miraz admitted the tense finish tested the team’s nerves but lauded his players for delivering when it mattered most.

“It was an excellent match. At times even I was a bit afraid, but the boys handled the pressure really well in the last over when they needed 14 runs,” Miraz said during the post-match presentation.

The Bangladesh captain also praised opener Tanzid Tamim, whose maiden ODI century -- a run-a-ball 107 -- laid the foundation for the total.

“I think it was an excellent wicket. If we could have got 300 it would have been even better, but 290 was still a good score. The way Tamim batted was excellent,” Miraz said.

He also singled out the bowlers for their decisive role in defending the total, particularly Taskin’s early breakthroughs.

“Taskin bowled really well. He took two wickets in the first three overs and two more at the end. Throughout the series, Taskin and Nahid Rana bowled really well, and I’m really happy with their performance,” he added.

Tanzid was named Player of the Match for his superb century, while Tanzid (175 runs) and Nahid (eight wickets) shared the Player of the Series award.

Pakistan captain Shaheen, meanwhile, said he was proud of his side for fighting until the end and praised the contribution of the younger players.

“I’m really proud of the team. They fought till the end, and the youngsters showed great character,” Shaheen said, also hailing Agha’s century.

“Salman is always a very good player. He plays spin very well and has been performing consistently for Pakistan. It was a very good innings from him and I’m really proud of the way the youngsters played,” he added.