Pakistan used an old-school approach to batting in one-day cricket, playing watchfully with the aim of preserving wickets for a charge during the final overs. They weren't entirely successful, because Bangladesh broke partnerships before they caused too much damage, but their power-hitters, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, fired from the platform built for them to lead Pakistan to a sizeable total in the second ODI in Mirpur.

For the first half of the innings, Bangladesh bowled tight lines and lengths to restrict Pakistan, who were in turn content to play within themselves and slowly build towards a competitive total. The cricket was different to the wicket-rush in the first match: it was watchful and attritional, a test of patience. The game remained in the balance throughout.

The foundations were laid by Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan, after Imran Farhat fell early, during a partnership of 57 for the second wicket. They blocked the good deliveries when they had to, and shouldered arms when they could. Pakistan did not score a single in the first 4.2 overs. Hafeez hit two fours and no other scoring shots in his first 23 balls, before tapping to wide mid-on for his first single. His next run came ten balls later, via another single.

Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossaim conceded only 28 in the first nine overs before Mushfiqur Rahim turned to the left-arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan, who continued to tighten Bangladesh's grip on the run-rate. With the batsmen settling down, though, Bangladesh needed a breakthrough to reinforce their advantage. Rubel returned for a second spell and forced Hafeez to miscue a pull to mid-on. Pakistan were 69 for 2 after 18.3 overs. Younis went shortly after, lbw to Abdur Razzak, and Bangladesh had inched ahead.

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