PAK vs BAN: Pakistan completed their Bangladesh tour on a high note with an emphatic 74-run victory in the third T20I at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Having set Bangladesh a stiff target of 179, they sent them back for just 104. This was Pakistan’s most comprehensive performance of the series, after two below-par displays with the bat in the first two matches.
Sahibzada Farhan Leads With Blistering 63
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Sahibzada Farhan, in for Fakhar Zaman, spearheaded the Pakistan recovery with an angry 63 off 41 balls, including six fours and five sixes. His forceful hitting put the stamp of authority right from the opening over. Farhan unleashed his arrows at all the bowlers, be it Mahedi Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, and Mehidy Hasan, reaching his fifty in only 30 balls, his second fifty in T20I cricket.
Farhan and Saim Ayub added 82 for the opening wicket, a top series partnership, before Ayub was dismissed for 18. Farhan also got out shortly afterwards in the 12th over, with Pakistan in a good place at 96 for 2.
Middle Order Falters Briefly Before Nawaz Duo Lifts Total
Mohammad Haris couldn’t capitalize on the platform despite being handed three lifelines. His scratchy 5 off 14 balls ended with a mistimed shot to deep third man.
But Hasan Nawaz provided pace with a 33 off 17, hitting three sixes before being caught out by a fine catch from Mahedi Hasan. Mohammad Nawaz saw off the innings in style, hitting 27 off 16 balls with two fours and two sixes, both against Mohammad Saifuddin, to take Pakistan to 178 for 7, the highest score in a T20I at this ground since 2021.
Salman Mirza & Faheem Ashraf Wreck Bangladesh’s Top Order
Debutant Salman Mirza stole the show with a sensational new-ball spell, taking 3 wickets for 16 runs. He struck in the second over, getting rid of Tanzid Hasan on review after persuading his captain that there was a faint edge.
Faheem Ashraf then cut loose, dispatching Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan in consecutive balls. In the fifth over, Mirza delivered two jaffas that dismissed Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan, leaving Bangladesh at a catastrophic 25 for 5.
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Bangladesh Collapses despite Saifuddin’s Solo Fight
Captain Salman Agha and Faheem Ashraf picked up from where they left off, while Shamim Hossain, Mohammad Naim, and Nasum Ahmed put up little fight.
Mohammad Saifuddin replied with a determined 35 off 34 balls, including two sixes against Ahmed Daniyal, but was not supported by the tail. The last three wickets contributed some overdue boundaries, but Pakistan ended the innings in the 18th over with Abbas Afridi making a brilliant catch to remove Shoriful Islam.
PAK vs BAN Series Ends 2-1 in Bangladesh’s Favour
Though Pakistan lost the series 2-1, they concluded their tour on a high by providing an all-round show in their final match. Salman Mirza’s debut heroics and Farhan’s fireworks provided the team with a much-needed injection before upcoming international matches.
Important Highlights – PAK vs BAN 3rd T20I
Pakistan 178/7 (20 overs): Farhan 63 (41), Hasan Nawaz 33 (17), Mohammad Nawaz 27 (16)
Bangladesh 104 all out (17.4 overs): Saifuddin 35 (34); Salman Mirza 3/16, Faheem Ashraf 2/15
Result: Pakistan won by 74 runs
Series: Bangladesh won the 3-match T20I series 2-1
This PAK vs BAN T20I series witnessed momentum shifts and high-profile performances, but it was Pakistan who stood tall in Mirpur. With young talents like Salman Mirza and Sahibzada Farhan emerging, Pakistan’s bench strength appears to be bright for the coming global tournaments.
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