MIRPUR: Sahibzada Farhan’s sparkling knock, followed by Salman Mirza’s impressive three-wicket haul, helped Pakistan to manage a consolation victory in the third T20I against Bangladesh here at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday. Â
Set to chase a 179-run target, Bangladesh was bundled out for 104 in only 16.4 overs, resulting in a 74-run win for Pakistan, which averted a series sweep.
Despite the outcome, Bangladesh clinched the three-match series 2-1 against Pakistan for the first time.
In pursuit of an uphill task, Bangladesh’s top-order crumbled in front of Pakistan’s pace bowlers. The home side lost half of their side in the power play for 25 runs, a situation similar to which the visitors faced in the second T20I.
The Tigers lost Tanzid Hasan for a golden duck on the second ball of the first over. Skipper Litton Das (8) and experienced Mehidy Hasan Miraz (9) were also removed in quick succession as the home side were reduced to 22-3 in only 3.4 overs.
Pakistan wreaked havoc in the opening overs, and Bangladesh were in dire straits in the fifth over when Salman Mirza cleaned up Jaker Ali (1) and Mahedi Hasan for a golden duck in the span of two balls.
Bangladesh continued to lose wickets in heaps with no significant contribution from the home side’s middle and lower order. The home side was once reeling at 81-9 in 14.5 overs; however, top-scorer Mohammad Saifuddin’s lusty blows helped them cross the 100-run mark.
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The whole team was eventually bowled out for a modest score. Saifuddin remained unbeaten on 35* from 34 deliveries with the aid of two fours and the same number of sixes.
For Pakistan, Salman Mirza starred with the ball, taking a three-wicket haul for 19 in his quota of four overs while Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz scalped two wickets in an all-round bowling effort.
Sahibzada Farhan was named as the Player of the Match for his impressive knock, whereas Jaker Ali clinched the Player of the Series award for his outstanding performances.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan’s blazing 63 runs and Hasan Nawaz’s 33 propelled Pakistan to a commanding 178-run total against Bangladesh in the third T20I here at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.
Put into bat first, Pakistan’s openers established a brisk 82-run stand, with Sahibzada Farhan taking on the core aggressor role while Saim Ayub played second fiddle.
The Green Shirts ended their power play on 57-0 with Farhan, playing his first game of the series, taking Taskin Ahmed to cleaners, accumulating 15 runs of the over with the help of two fours and a six.
Sahibzada carried on the momentum and reached his half-century in the process. Saim’s scratchy knock ended after smashing Nasum Ahmed for a six in the eighth over. The left-handed batter managed to score 21 off 15 balls with the aid of a six and two fours.
Following the wicket, Bangladesh applied brakes on Pakistan’s scoring with a couple of quite overs. The pressure eventually resulted in top-scorer Farhan’s wicket as the visitors were reduced to 97-2 in 12 overs.
Farhan’s dazzling 63 off 41 was laced with five maximums and half a dozen fours. Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris was unable to capitalize on a solid platform. His sluggish 5 off 14 balls was ended by Taskin Ahmed.
In the last phase of the innings, Bangladesh struck at regular intervals, but Hasan Nawaz’s 33 off 17 and Mohammad Nawaz’s 27 off 16 peppered with boundaries was enough to take Pakistan to a strong total.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed picked up three wickets while Nasum Ahmed bowled an economical spell and took two wickets.
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