Sports Reporter :A maiden century by promising Soumya Sarkar powered the Tigers to whitewash Pakistan 3-0 in the three-match ODI series when Bangladesh recorded a huge eight-wicket victory over the tourists in the third match at the crowd-packed, flood-lit Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.Soumya Sarkar remained unbeaten with 127. His 110-ball splendid innings was ornamented with 13 fours and three huge sixes. Sarkar was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning innings. In-form Tamim Iqbal was awarded the prize of the Man of the Series.Chasing Pakistan’s total of 250 off 49 overs, Bangladesh stormed into the winning target in 39.3 overs scoring 251 for the loss of two wickets.Bangladesh made a formidable start as the two Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar contributed 145 runs in the opening stand before Tamim Iqbal was trapped leg before wicket by Junaid Khan. After the dismissal of Tamim, in-form Mahmudullah Riyad arrived at the crease but Riyad’s innings was short-lived as he was cleanly bowled out by Junaid Khan for 4 when Bangladesh’s total was 154 for the loss of two wickets. After the departure of Riyad, Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim repaired the damage contributing together 97 runs in the unbroken third wicket partnership. Dashing opener Tamim Iqbal made a marvellous 64 from 76 balls featuring eight boundaries and one six. It was Tamim’s 29th ODI half century. Mushfiqur Rahim deprived from his 23rd ODI half century for just one run. He remained unbeaten with 49. His 43-ball innings was decorated with six fours.Junaid Khan got two wickets conceding 67 runs.Earlier, Pakistan made a solid start as Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam, the two openers of the tourists put on together 91 runs in the opening stand before Sami Aslam was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Nasir Hossain.Then Arafat Sunny struck and clean bowled out Mohammad Hafeez for 4 when the visitors total was 105 for the loss of two wickets.After the dismissal of Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail added together 98 runs for the third wicket partnership before Azhar Ali was clean bowled out by Shakib Al Hasan when Pakistan was at 203 for the loss of three wickets. Azhar Ali hit a captain’s knock of 101. His 112-ball superb innings was studded with 10 fours. It was Azhar Ali’s maiden ODI century. After the departure of Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Mashrafe Bin Mortaza when the tourists total was 207 for the loss of four wickets.Haris Sohail made a fine 52 from 58 balls featuring two sixes and one four while Sami Aslam hit a polished 45 off 50 balls including seven fours. After dismissal of Haris Sohail, Pakistan faced a batting collapse and they failed to make any notable partnership.Bangladesh bowlers dominated over the Pakistan batsmen and the tourists failed to resist the Bangladesh spin and pace attack.Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 4.Mashrafe Bin Mortaza removed Fawad Alam for 4.Rubel Hossain dismissed Wahab Riaz for seven and Saad Nasim for 22. With spinner Arafat Sunny bowled out Junaid Khan for 4 Pakistan’s innings came to an end.Shakib Al Hasan, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza bagged a pair of wickets each for 34, 43, 43 and 44 runs respectively. Besides, Nasir Hossain took one wicket at the cost of 37 runs.
