Bangladesh's Controversial T20I Finale: Did They Let Pakistan Win?

The T20I series finale between Bangladesh and Pakistan took an unexpected turn, with former cricketer Basit Ali suggesting that Bangladesh may have intentionally allowed Pakistan to win. This claim stems from observations of Bangladesh's lackluster performance and strategic experimentation with younger players. Despite winning the series 2-1, the final match raised eyebrows due to tactical errors and a seemingly indifferent attitude from the Bangladeshi team. Explore the details of this controversial match and the implications of these claims.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2025, 18:40 IST

Unexpected Turn in T20I Series Finale

The T20I format is celebrated for its high-octane batting and aggressive bowling, yet the final match in Mirpur took an unforeseen turn. Basit Ali, a former cricketer from Pakistan, recently suggested that Bangladesh may have deliberately allowed Pakistan to secure victory in the series finale, citing a gesture of regional camaraderie.

Reports indicate that Bangladesh opted to let Pakistan win the last T20I as part of a strategy to experiment and provide younger players with valuable experience under pressure. The management seemed to prioritize evaluating their bench strength over securing a win. Tactical errors, missed catches, and a defensive bowling approach raised eyebrows regarding Bangladesh's commitment.

Basit Ali commented on this situation, stating, 'Kudos to Bangladesh for winning the series. However, their demeanor in the final match was noticeably different.'

He further elaborated, 'They appeared indifferent to the loss, as if they thought, They are our brothers and neighbors, let them have this match.'

On his YouTube channel, he expressed concerns about Bangladesh's intentions during the third T20I against Pakistan, where they faced a significant defeat by 74 runs. After clinching the series with wins in the first two matches, Bangladesh seemed unsettled in the final game. Ali pointed out the inconsistent batting and lackluster fielding, indicating a lack of seriousness from the hosts.

Sahibzada Farhan stepped in for Fakhar Zaman, scoring 63 runs off 41 balls, while Hasan Nawaz contributed 33 runs from 17 balls. Mohammad Nawaz also added 27 runs from 16 balls, helping Pakistan reach a competitive total of 178/7, the highest score of the series.

In response, Bangladesh's batting lineup faltered, getting bowled out for just 104 runs in 16.4 overs. Mohammad Saifuddin was the standout performer with 35 runs, while the rest of the team struggled, with only a few players, including Naim Sheikh and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, reaching double digits.

Despite winning the series 2-1, Bangladesh's final performance has left room for criticism.