Sports Reporter :
Pakistan had a clean sweep 3-0 in the Twenty20 International (T20I) series after earning a thrilling last-ball five-wicket win against unfortunate Bangladesh in the third and last T20I match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Monday.
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh piled up a fighting total of 124 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan overhauled the winning target in the last ball of the 20th over making 127 for the loss of five wickets.
Bangladesh had a sorrow start as opener Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) was bowled out Shahnawaz Dahani when Bangladesh’s score was just seven.
Opener Mohammad Naim and one-down Shamim Hossain repaired the damage contributing together 30 runs in the second wicket stand before Shamim was caught at the midwicket by Iftikhar Ahmed off Usman Qadir when Bangladesh’s total was 37 for the loss of two wickets. Shamim Hossain made 22 from 23 balls featuring four fours.
After Shamim’s dismissal, Naim and Afif Hossain mended their innings contributing together 43 runs for the third wicket partnership before Afif Hossain was caught by Mohammad Rizwan off Qadir when the hosts’ score was 80 for the loss of three wickets.
Afif scored 20 from 21 deliveries including two sixes.
After Afif’s departure, Naim and Mahmudullah Riyad put on together 31 runs in the four-wicket stand before Naim was caught & bowled by Mohammad Wasim when the home side’s total was 111 for the loss of four wickets.
Naim hit a fine 47. His 50-ball innings saw two sixes and two fours.
Riyad (13) was caught at the deep square leg by Mohammad Wasim off Haris Rauf when Bangladesh’s score was 116 for the loss of six wickets.
Mohammad Wasim and Usman Qadir bagged two wickets each instead of 15 and 35 runs respectively.
Shahnawaz Dahani and Haris Rauf took one wicket each for 24 and 32 runs respectively.
Pakistan made a good start with openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam put on together 32 runs in the opening stand before Babar Azam (19) was caught by Mohammad Naim off Aminul Islam Biplob.
After Babar’s departure, Rizwan and Haider Ali added together 51 runs for the second wicket partnership before Rizwan was bowled out by Shohidul Islam when the tourists’ total was 83 for the loss of two wickets.
Rizwan hit a polished 40. His 43-ball innings had two fours and a sixer.
After Rizwan’s removal, Haider Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed put on together 34 runs in the third wicket stand before Sarfraz Ahmed (6) was caught at the deep midwicket by Naim off Mahmudullah Riyad when the visitors’ score was 117 for the loss of three wickets.
Then, Mahmudullah Riyad dismissed Haider Ali in the next delivery. Haider Ali struck 45 from 38 deliveries with three fours and two sixes. Haider Ali was adjudged the Man of the Match. Mohammad Rizwan was adjudged the Player of the Series.
Mahmudullah struck again as Iftikhar Ahmed (6) was caught at the backward point by substitute Yasir Ali off Riyad.
At one stage Pakistan needed two runs in the last ball of the 20th over to win. Mohammed Nawaz hit a boundary and helped his side to earn the thrilling victory.
