Sports Reporter :
Pakistan clinched the Twenty20 International (T20I) series 2-0 beating Bangladesh by nine wickets in the second T20I cricket match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
Earlier, the hosts earned a hard-fought five-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the first T20I match at the same venue on Friday last.
Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in the third T20I at the same venue tomorrow. The match begins at 3.00 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time).
Electing to bat first, Bangladesh made 136 for the loss of six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan reached the winning spot making 137 for the loss of one wicket remaining with 20 balls.
Pakistan had a poor start as opener Ahsan Ali (0) was caught at the mid-off by Mahmudullah Riyad off Shafiul Islam when Pakistan’s score was just six runs.
Then opener Babar Azam and one-down Mohammad Hafeez put on together 131 runs for the unbroken second wicket stand to overhaul the winning target.
Mohammad Hafeez remained unbeaten with 67. His 49-ball superb innings had nine fours and a sixer.
Babar Azam remained unbeaten with 66. His 44-ball knock belted with seven fours and one six. Babar Azam was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Pacer Shafiul Islam got one wicket conceding 27 runs.
Bangladesh faced an early debacle as they lost their three wickets for 41 runs.
Then Tamim Iqbal and Afif Hossain repaired the damage contributing together 45 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Afif Hossain was caught at the third-man by Haris Rouf off Mohammad Hasnain when the team’s total was 86 for the loss of four wickets.
After Afif’s dismissal, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad built another notable partnership. They put on together 31 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Tamim Iqbal was unfortunately run out by a direct throw of Imad Wasim when Bangladesh’s score was 117 for the loss of five wickets.
Tamim Iqbal alone fought back making a splendid 65. His 53-ball innings saw seven fours and a sixer.
Afif Hossain scored 21 off 20 balls including one four and one six.
After Tamim’s departure, Mahmudullah Riyad (12) was bowled out by Haris Rouf when Bangladesh’s total was 126 for the loss of six wickets.
Mohammad Hasnain bagged two wickets at the cost of 20 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afrifi, Haris Rouf and Shadab Khan picked up one wicket each for 22, 27 and 28 runs respectively.
