Pakistan overpower Bangladesh in second T20I to take series deciding lead
LAHORE: Explosive half-centuries from the returning Sahibzada Farhan and the in-form Hasan Nawaz, followed by a well-rounded bowling display, helped Pakistan cruise to a dominant 57-run win over Bangladesh in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
With this convincing win, Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final match will also be played in Lahore on Sunday.
Chasing a challenging 202-run target, Bangladesh were bowled out for 144 in 19 overs.
The visitors started brightly, racing to 38 without loss in just three overs, with Tanzid Hasan taking on the Pakistani bowlers early.
However, Pakistan got the breakthrough they needed when Haris Rauf dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon for 8 in the fourth over. In the next over, Tanzid—who had been striking the ball well—fell for 33 off 19 balls (5 fours, 1 six), giving a catch to Abrar Ahmed at short fine-leg off Faheem Ashraf.
His dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse, with Bangladesh crumbling to 77/7 by the 10th over.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to steady the innings, putting up a 33-run stand for the eighth wicket with Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Mehidy eventually fell to Khushdil Shah for 23 off 17 balls.
Sakib continued to fight and reached his first T20I fifty before being caught behind off Saim Ayub. He top-scored for Bangladesh with a 31-ball 50, hitting one four and five sixes.
Abrar Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking 3 for 19 in his four overs. Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, and Saim Ayub all chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Agha Salman won the toss and chose to bat first—a decision that paid off well as the home team piled up 201/6 in 20 overs.
Their start was shaky with opener Saim Ayub falling for 4 in the second over with only 12 runs on the board.
But wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris joined Sahibzada Farhan and turned the game around with a brilliant 103-run partnership for the second wicket. Both batters took the attack to the bowlers before being dismissed in quick succession.
Farhan top-scored with a blistering 74 off 41 balls (4 fours, 6 sixes), while Haris made a quickfire 41 off 25 (4 fours, 2 sixes).
After their departure, Agha and Hasan Nawaz kept the momentum going with a 45-run partnership. Agha scored 19 off 12 before being trapped lbw by Hasan Mahmud.
Hasan Nawaz then played a key finishing role, staying unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes. He shared a short 24-run stand with Shadab Khan, who was dismissed for 7.
For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Hasan Mahmud claimed two wickets each, while Rishad Hossain picked up one.
