Sports Reporter :
Pakistan clinched the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh after defeating the hosts by eight wickets in the second T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Saturday with one match in hand.
Chasing Bangladesh’s meager total of 108 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 oivers, Pakistan reached the winning target making 109 for the loss of two wickets when they had 11 balls to spare.
Bangladesh had a sorrow start as they lost their two openers for five runs only. Then, one-down Najmul Hossain Shanto and second-down Afif Hossain repaired the damage contributing together 46 runs for the third wicket partnership before Afif was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off Shadab Khan when the home side’s total was 51 for the loss of three wickets.
Afif scored 20 from 21 balls featuring one four and one six.
After Afif’s dismissal, Shanto and Mahmudullah Riyad built another notable partnership. They put on together 28 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Riyad (12) was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off Haris Rauf when the hosts’ score was 79 for the loss of four wickets.
After Riyad’s departure, Bangladesh batsmen failed to make any notable partnership.
Shanto top-scored with 40 runs. He hit five fours in his 34-ball innings before he was caught & bowled by Shadab Khan when Bangladesh’s score was 82 for the loss of five wickets.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan bagged two wickets each in the space of 15 and 22 runs respectively.
Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each for nine, 13 and 25 runs respectively.
Later, ‘Cutter Boy’ Mustafizur Rahman gave his team an early breakthrough as opener Babar Azam (1) was bowled out by the left-arm pacer when Pakistan’s score was just 12.
After Babar Azam’s dismissal, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman rescued their team from danger adding together 85 runs for the second wicket partnership before Rizwan was caught at the point by Saif Hassan off Aminul Islam Biplob when the visitors’ total was 97 for the loss of two wickets.
Then Fakhar Zaman and Haider Ali guided their team to reach the winning target.
Fakhar Zaman remained unbeaten with 57 runs. He hit three sixes and two fours in his 51-ball innings. Fakhar Zaman was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Mohammad Rizwan notched up 39. His 45-ball innings had four fours.
Haider Ali remained unbeaten with six runs.
