Haris’ brilliant ton leads Pakistan to a clean sweep against Bangladesh

LAHORE: Mohammad Haris lit up the Gaddafi Stadium with his first T20I century as Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third and final match on Sunday, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep.

Chasing a daunting target of 197, Pakistan suffered an early blow when opener Sahibzada Farhan was sent back for just one run in the opening over, bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

The early setback didn’t deter the hosts, as Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub launched a counterattack. The duo played with intent, peppering the boundary regularly to push Pakistan to 56-1 at the end of the powerplay.

Their aggressive 92-run stand for the second wicket put Pakistan in control. The partnership was eventually broken when Tanzim Hasan removed Saim Ayub for 45 off 29 balls, with Pakistan sitting at 100-2 in the 10th over.

Undistracted by the dismissal, Haris carried on fluently, reaching his maiden T20I half-century as Pakistan advanced to 115-2 after 11 overs.

Hasan Nawaz provided a brief cameo, smashing a couple of boundaries, before falling to Mehidy Hasan for 26 off 13 balls, leaving the home side at 137-3.

Haris, unfazed by wickets falling at the other end, continued to dominate proceedings. His superb knock featured clean hitting and intelligent placement, culminating in a brilliant century from just 45 deliveries.

He stayed unbeaten on a scintillating 107 off 46 balls, laced with eight fours and seven sixes. Captain Agha Salman chipped in with 14 not out from 11 balls as Pakistan completed the chase in 17.1 overs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Bangladesh made a strong start with openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon going on the attack from the outset.

They cruised to 53 without loss by the end of the powerplay, with Emon particularly explosive, racing to a 27-ball half-century as Bangladesh reached 80-0 in eight overs.

The openers put on 100 runs together by the 11th over, capitalizing on some wayward bowling, especially from Faheem Ashraf. However, Faheem eventually got the breakthrough by dismissing Tanzid for 42 off 32, ending a dangerous partnership.

Shadab Khan struck shortly after to remove Parvez for a brilliant 66 from just 34 deliveries, reducing Bangladesh to 113-2.

Captain Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy kept the momentum going with a useful stand. Hridoy played with aggression while Litton anchored from the other end, steering their side beyond 150 in the 15th over.

Hasan Ali broke their stand by removing Das for 22 off 18 balls, with the score at 162-3. Shamim Hossain followed up with a brisk cameo but was dismissed by Abbas Afridi for 8 off 4, leaving Bangladesh at 171-4.

Jakeer Ali’s late hitting, including successive boundaries off Faheem, pushed Bangladesh to their highest-ever T20I total against Pakistan.

In the final over, Hasan Ali picked up his second scalp by dismissing Mehidy Hasan for just one run. Bangladesh concluded their innings at 184-6, with Jakeer Ali unbeaten on 15 from nine balls and Tanzim Hasan Sakib adding a quick 8 off three.