Bangladesh want to make a fresh start and secure the three-match ODI series when they take on Pakistan in the third and final game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.

The match is scheduled to begin at 2:15pm and T Sports will telecast it live.

The hosts suffered a 128-run defeat (D/L Method) in the second game after a flying start in the series opener when they defeated the visitors by eight wickets.

With the series level at 1-1, Bangladesh spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed urged his side to forget their loss and focus on the series decider, as a win would give the Tigers their first ODI series against Pakistan since 2015.

‘I think this game we have to forget. We have to quickly raise this game as much as we can and believe, you know, like, make sure we can win the series,’ said Mushtaq at the post-match conference on Friday.

‘I think we potentially played good cricket in the first game. When they execute their plans well and they believe in themselves, I believe that, inshallah. We can win the series,’ he said.

Despite a strong performance in the first match, the batters failed to replicate their effort in the second, as only Litton Das played a 41-run innings.

While the weather had an impact on their game, the Tigers were required to chase a revised target of 243 runs in 32 overs after successfully limiting Pakistan to 274 runs.

‘I think we didn’t bat well. Uh, we didn’t start bowling well, but after that we clawed back, particularly in the middle overs when we managed to take crucial wickets and limit their scoring opportunities. Obviously, credit goes to Pakistani bowlers. I think they bowled very well. And so I think we just have to need to build a partnership. And obviously weather played a huge role,’ he added.

Mushtaq believes the batters can replicate the performance from the first game. ‘We have to play like we are very clinical and very professional, and we have to remember our process for a longer period of time. I think Bangladesh has a very good batting side.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Pakistan batter Agha Salman were at the centre stage of the match after an unusual run-out by Mehidy of the Pakistani in the 39th over of their innings, which sparked chaos in and outside the field, but the coach defended Mehidy.

‘It happened so quickly actually that we didn’t really understand what happened at that moment,’ said Mushtaq.

‘I think Miraz thought Agha was outside the crease and was trying to stop the ball. The ball went straight to Miraz’s legs, and at the same time, Agha probably thought he was trying to help Miraz pick the ball up and give it back to him,’ he explained.

‘So I think it was just a situation where things happened very quickly. Mehidy was simply trying to pick up the ball and attempt a run-out because Agha was outside the crease. It all happened very fast,’ he added.

Bangladesh will host Pakistan for a two-match Test series scheduled in May.