Jaker Ali: “I Only Count Match-Winning Runs, the Rest Doesn’t Register”

Jaker Ali: “I Only Count Match-Winning Runs, the Rest Doesn’t Register”

Bangladesh secured their maiden T20I series win against Pakistan with a game to spare, thanks to a composed and calculated innings from middle-order batter Jaker Ali. His 55 off 48 balls in the second T20I on Monday earned him the Player of the Match award and proved crucial in Bangladesh’s hard-fought win after a top-order collapse.

Jaker walked in to bat with Bangladesh reeling at 28 for 4 inside the powerplay, following Pakistan captain Salman Agha’s decision to field first. It was a high-pressure situation, but Jaker said a pre-innings message from skipper Litton Das helped him zone in on a clear target and approach.

“We had come into the game knowing that the conditions wouldn't allow for a high-scoring match,” Jaker said after the game. “I thought it was a 155-160 wicket, but the captain told me to go for 140. That gave me clarity. We ended up slightly short, but that approach helped me plan the innings.”

Together with Mahedi Hasan, Jaker helped Bangladesh rebuild, adding 53 crucial runs for the fifth wicket. While Mahedi played the aggressor with 33 off 25 balls, including two sixes and two fours, Jaker anchored the innings and batted till the final delivery. His knock included five sixes and a four, with valuable runs coming as he expertly farmed the strike with the lower order.

“I have always batted at No. 7 since age-group cricket, so I know how to handle batting with the tail,” Jaker said. “I don’t panic. I try to protect the other batter and maximize the runs.”

Interestingly, Jaker was promoted to No. 5, a higher position than usual, but he revealed that he was mentally prepared. “I knew well ahead I’d be batting at No. 5. I’ve batted there before, including in the West Indies, so I followed my routines. I’ve been working with our batting coach Mohammad Salahuddin for two years on this role.”

When asked about his mindset, Jaker summed it up simply: “I only count match-winning runs. The rest doesn’t register with me.”

Despite setting a modest total of 134, Bangladesh’s bowlers made early inroads, reducing Pakistan to 47 for 7 by the 12th over. Although Faheem Ashraf’s late counterattack (51 off 32 balls) gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope, Bangladesh held their nerve in the field, with Shamim Hossain taking a sharp catch to seal the win.

“This is how T20 cricket goes,” Jaker reflected. “They were always going to fight back, and we did make a few mistakes in the field. But we stayed calm, and in the end, winning is all that matters.”

With this victory, Bangladesh clinched the series 2-0 and will look to complete a clean sweep in the final T20I.

You May Interested

> Khaleel Ahmed Ends Essex Stint Early Due to Personal Reasons
> Jamie Overton Returns as England Weigh Fresh Options for The Oval Test
> Kaushal Silva Appointed Head Coach of Hong Kong Men’s Cricket Team Ahead of Asia Cup
> Gill, Washington, Jadeja Hundreds Orchestrate India’s Great Escape at Old Trafford
> Issy Wong Shines with Bat and Ball as Birmingham Bears Storm into Women’s T20 Blast Final
> Washington and Jadeja's Gritty Fifties Help India Edge Ahead of England
> Gill’s Gritty Hundred in Vain as England Eye Series Win
> Green, Maxwell Shine as Australia Edge West Indies in Thriller to Clinch Fourth Straight Win
> Conrad Confident Despite Final Defeat: “We’ve Got the Makings of a Great Side”
> Asia Cup 2025 to Begin in UAE on September 9; India vs Pakistan Clash Set for September 14
Indian Premier League 2025 | League
🕹️ 74 Matches 👥 12 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Pakistan Super League, 2025 | League
🕹️ 34 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Tri-Nation Series in UAE, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 5 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Womens World Cup Qualifier, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 15 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 19 Apr, 2025 - 19 Apr, 2025
England A Women tour of Australia, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 0 Teams 📅 26 Mar, 2025 - 15 Apr, 2025
Kolkata National Cricket Club, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
County Championship Division One, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 35 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Afghanistan U19 tour of Nepal, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 3 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
KCC T20 Challengers B League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 14 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Vincy Premier League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 30 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 21 Apr, 2025 - 21 Apr, 2025
Melbourne T10 League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 22 Matches 👥 7 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Quadrangular T20I Series in Hong Kong, China, 2025 | International
🕹️ 8 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 13 Apr, 2025 - 13 Apr, 2025
Uganda Women tour of Namibia, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Major League Cricket 2025 | League
🕹️ 4 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 14 Jul, 2025 - 14 Jul, 2025
ECS Italy, Bologna, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 29 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 18 Apr, 2025 - 18 Apr, 2025