Pakistan crush Bangladesh to avoid clean sweep in final T20I

DHAKA: Sahibzada Farhan’s explosive half-century on return to the side, combined with a fiery three-wicket burst from Salman Mirza, powered Pakistan to a commanding 75-run triumph over Bangladesh in the third T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Set a challenging target of 179 runs, Bangladesh’s batting order collapsed for just 104 runs in 16.3 overs — their third-lowest total against Pakistan in T20 internationals.

Bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin put up some resistance with a gritty 35 off 34 balls, while opener Mohammad Naim chipped in with 10 runs — the only two batters to reach double figures as the rest crumbled under relentless pressure from the Pakistani attack.

Left-arm seamer Salman shone with the ball, picking up 3 for 19 in his four-over spell. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz claimed two wickets each, while Ahmed Daniyal, Hussain Talat and skipper Salman Ali Agha bagged one apiece.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 178 for 7 after being asked to bat first, thanks to a strong opening stand. The visitors’ new opening duo, Saim Ayub and Farhan, took the attack to the Bangladeshi bowlers with an 82-run partnership before Nasum Ahmed broke through in the ninth over, dismissing Ayub for 21 off 15 balls — an innings that included two boundaries and a six.

Farhan, however, continued the assault, top-scoring for Pakistan with a superb 63 off 41 balls, featuring six fours and five maximums, before falling to Ahmed in the 12th over.

Following his departure, Hasan Nawaz kept up the scoring momentum, stitching together a quick 22-run stand with Mohammad Haris (5) and adding another 16 runs with Agha before being dismissed by Shoriful Islam for a brisk 33 off just 17 deliveries, which included one four and three sixes.

Pakistan faced a brief stumble when Hussain Talat (1) edged behind off Saifuddin soon after, leaving them at 132 for 5 in 15.2 overs. However, Mohammad Nawaz’s late fireworks — an unbeaten 27 from 16 balls, including two fours and two sixes — lifted Pakistan to a strong finish. Skipper Agha remained not out on 12 off nine deliveries, mostly watching from the non-striker’s end.

Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, returning figures of 3 for 38 in his four overs, while Nasum Ahmed took two wickets and Islam and Saifuddin grabbed one each.