A blistering half-century from Sahibzada Farhan and a clinical bowling display led by Abrar Ahmed powered Pakistan to a comprehensive 57-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, securing their first home series win in more than three years.
Chasing a challenging target of 202, Bangladesh started confidently with an opening stand of 44 runs between Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan. However, the innings quickly unraveled after Emon was dismissed for 8 off 7 balls.
Tanzid showed early promise with a quickfire 33 off 19 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six, but his departure to Faheem Ashraf in the following over triggered a dramatic collapse.
Litton Das, who scored a brilliant half-century in the first match, was removed by Hasan Ali for just six. Abrar Ahmed then struck twice in as many deliveries, leaving the visitors reeling at 56 for 5.
Abrar continued his impressive spell, claiming a third wicket in his next over, while Shadab Khan also joined the party as Bangladesh lost seven wickets within the first ten overs.
With defeat looming, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzim Hasan Sakib offered brief resistance, pushing the score past the 100-run mark. However, Khushdil Shah broke the stand, and Bangladesh’s lower order soon folded.
Tanzim was the lone bright spot, fighting valiantly with a 50 off 31 balls, but he was eventually dismissed by Saim Ayub, ending the innings at 144 all out.
Abrar Ahmed was the standout with figures of 3 wickets, while all Pakistani bowlers—except captain Agha Salman—claimed a wicket each.
With this win, Pakistan take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Earlier, Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz struck impressive half-centuries to propel Pakistan to 201/6.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first for the second game in a row, Pakistan suffered an early setback as Saim Ayub was run out in the second over, continuing his poor run of form.
However, Mohammad Haris joined Farhan—who replaced the injured Fakhar Zaman—and the duo stitched together a blistering 103-run partnership in just eight overs, giving Pakistan early momentum.
As Pakistan looked set for a total beyond 220, both set batters fell in quick succession. Farhan showcased his hitting prowess with a 74-run knock off just 41 balls, including six sixes and four boundaries. Haris contributed a brisk 41 off 25 deliveries.
Hasan Nawaz, who played a cameo in the first T20I, partnered with skipper Agha Salman to take the score to 166. Nawaz continued to anchor the innings even as Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf fell cheaply, eventually bringing up his half-century.
Pakistan finished on 201/6 in their allotted 20 overs—the same total they posted in the first match of the series. Nawaz remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls, featuring two fours and three towering sixes.
For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan Sakib were the most effective bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece. Rishad Hossain conceded 50 runs for his solitary wicket.
Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after defeating Bangladesh by 37 runs in the opening T20I on Wednesday.
Pakistan XI: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Bangladesh XI: Litton Das (Captain & wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patwary, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam
