Bowlers, Fakhar steer Pakistan to T20 series win over Bangladesh

Agencies Published November 21, 2021

DHAKA: Bangladesh fielder Saif Hassan drops a catch off Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman during the second Twenty20 International at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.—AFP

DHAKA: Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman struck an unbeaten half-century as his side made light work of beating Bangladesh by eight wickets in their second Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Saturday, taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Fakhar hit 57 off 51 balls and put on 85 runs with opener Mohammad Rizwan for the second wicket that was instrumental in overhauling Bangladesh’s paltry 108-7 with 11 balls to spare.

Rizwan scored a patient 39 off 45 with four boundaries.

Fakhar was watchful after captain Babar Azam (5) dragged fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman’s (1-12) delivery on to his stump in the third over, similar to his dismissal in the first match.

“Wasn’t easy to play shots early on, wanted to build partnerships and succeeded,” Fakhar said. “Thankfully we finished it off well.”

He paced the innings, especially after being reprieved on 26 when Saif Hassan dropped his catch in deep midwicket off leg-spinner Aminul Islam (1-30).

Aminul finally dismissed Rizwan as Saif took the catch at extra cover, but it came too late as Fakhar soon sealed the contest and the series with a single through cover off part-timer Saif as Pakistan got to 109-2.

“The series win is a team effort,” said Babar. “The boys responded well as a unit and we carried forward the momentum from the World Cup.”

Playing his first match of the series, Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-15) and Shadab Khan (2-22) caused the damage to Bangladesh amid Najmul Hossain Shanto’s resistance after captain Mahmudullah opted to bat first.

Najmul struck 40 off 34, hitting five fours.

Shaheen, replacing Hasan Ali, continued his habit to strike in the first over as he trapped Saif leg-before for duck in the fifth ball.

Mohammad Naim Sheikh edged Mohammad Wasim’s delivery to Fakhar at first slip for two in the second over, leaving Bangladesh at 5-2.

Afif Hossain flicked Shaheen to six over backward square leg in the first ball he faced. He also cut Wasim past point for a boundary as Bangladesh appeared to be in control.

Najmul, at the other end, recovered from his vulnerable start to dominate bowlers.

But Shadab stifled the innings and brought an end to the 46-run partnership when Afif’s premeditated reverse paddle cost his wicket for 20.

Najmul chipped in the air to give Shadab, who dived to his left to take an excellent catch, his second wicket.

Haris Rauf in between took the wicket of Mahmudullah, edging to wicket-keeper for 12, as the home team was 82-5 in 14th over.

Shaheen and Wasim came back to their second spells to torment Bangladesh further, allowing them to score just 23 runs in the last five overs.

Mahmudullah rued Bangladesh’s batting towards the end of their innings.

“We started well, Afif and Shanto batted well and we were trying to get a partnership but didn’t capitalize in the last few overs,” Mahmudullah said. “For a team like us, we need a set batter to be there at the end but it didn’t happen today.”

Pakistan won the first match of the series by four wickets on Friday. The third and final match of the series will be held on the same ground on Monday

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH:

Mohammad Naim c Fakhar b Wasim 2

Saif Hassan lbw b Shaheen 0

Najmul Hossain c and b Shadab 40

Afif Hossain c Rizwan b Shadab 20

Mahmudullah Riyad c Rizwan b Haris 12

Nurul Hasan c Rizwan b Shaheen 11

Mahedi Hasan c and b Nawaz 3

Aminul Islam not out 8

Taskin Ahmed not out 2

EXTRAS (LB-8, W-2) 10