Follow UsJaker Ali was the hero of the match for Bangladesh as they sealed the three-match T20I series against Pakistan at home by winning the second T20I and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead on July 22 (Tuesday) in Dhaka.
However, Jaker gave credit to his captain, Litton Das, who gave him a clear message before going to bat. Bangladesh were struggling at 28/4 in the 6th over.
"The captain had given me a separate plan after we lost wickets quickly. We had come into the game knowing that the conditions wouldn't allow for a high-scoring match. I thought it was a 155-160 wicket, but the captain told me to go for 140,” Jaker, the man who made 48-ball 55, was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
He took Bangladesh to 133, getting out on the last ball of the innings. “If I had hit a six off the last ball, we would have given them that target. I think this is a good approach, where I know my goal,” added the 27-year-old.
In reply to Bangladesh’s 133, Pakistan were bowled out for 125 in 19.2 overs, losing the match by eight runs.
The 53-run partnership between Jaker and Mahedi Hasan off 49 balls was crucial for the hosts and Jaker praised his partner for taking the pressure off him with his 25-ball 33.
"He played a very important innings. When he started to attack their bowlers, I was playing a supporting role. We could have had a bigger score had he been there till the end,” said Jaker.
The third and final match of the series will be played at the same venue of Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on July 24. Pakistan would look to win it as a saving grace in what has been a horrible tour for them so far, having lost the first game by seven wickets.