The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka braces itself for Round Two of this three-match T20I showdown. With Bangladesh holding a 1-0 advantage after dismantling Pakistan in style, the buzz hasn’t been just about the cricket. The pitch at Mirpur has sparked controversy, most notably drawing flak from the head coach of Pakistan, Mike Hesson, who deemed it unworthy of an international contest, especially with the Asia Cup and next year’s T20 World Cup looming large. Yet, even Hesson couldn’t overlook Pakistan’s batting implosion, which went far beyond just surface-level woes. Missing a few key players, the tourists were clearly finding their feet in unfamiliar conditions. The adjustment wasn’t seamless, and even some of Pakistan’s experienced campaigners couldn’t quite hit their stride. With the series on the line, they’ll be keen to regroup and respond. A loss here means Bangladesh takes the trophy, while a win keeps the contest alive, setting up a high-stakes third and final match where momentum will matter just as much as form. Pakistan’s collapse for 109 was their sixteenth-lowest total in T20Is and their third defeat in Dhaka. Fakhar Zaman was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dented top and middle order that struggled for momentum. Now, the spotlight shifts to the younger brigade. It’s a moment for talents like Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris to take ownership and bring that raw, youthful intensity. If they can turn promise into performance, it could be a defining shift in Pakistan’s batting narrative. Losing one too many wickets early doors has a ripple effect. It forces the finishers to play anchor, upending the batting structure in a flash. That’s exactly the breakdown Pakistan found themselves navigating, and it’s something they’ll want to avoid at all costs in the second contest. While the scoreboard didn’t offer the bowlers much cushion, they showed grit in return. One of the key takeaways was Salman Mirza’s spirited spell, offering both bite and promise. Yes, the absence of pace heavyweights like Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah leaves a visible gap, but the youthful energy in this lineup carries its own intrigue. These fresh legs might lack experience, but they have the kind of unfiltered intent that could shift momentum. Bangladesh, since clinching that series win on Sri Lankan turf earlier this month, have barely put a foot wrong. They’ve continued to go after their opponents with intent, and this victory, which was their tenth biggest by wickets remaining and fifth largest by balls to spare, only reinforces their dominant run. Their top order has shown promising form lately, though the early stumble in the first match, losing two wickets inside ten runs, is a minor flaw they’ll be looking to patch. With Tanzid, Litton, and Tawhid forming a potent trio, there’s no shortage of firepower. What stands out, however, is the team’s collective ability to find a match-winner, someone who steps up and delivers that decisive blow, whether it’s with bat or ball. Taskin Ahmed led the bowling unit with conviction, setting the tone, and the rest followed with equal sincerity, ensuring the job was done without fuss. With the series delicately poised, it’s now or never for Pakistan and they surely will come spirited in this penultimate game. While Bangladesh will be aiming to extract all the help from their in-form squad. Come what may, it’s going to be a classic subcontinental rivalry.