Pakistan ended their T20I series on a high with a commanding win over Bangladesh in the final match. The Men in Green avoided a humiliating whitewash by defeating the hosts by a margin of 74 runs in Dhaka. Sahibzada Farhan played a beautiful knock of 63 runs and anchored Pakistan’s innings, while pacer Salman Mirza wreaked havoc with the ball, picking up 3 crucial wickets to dismantle Bangladesh’s chase. This was Pakistan’s first win on the tour after suffering defeats in the first two T20Is.
Bangladesh, despite clinching the series 2-1, would be disappointed with their performance in the final clash. Chasing a manageable target of 179, their batting crumbled under pressure and folded for just 104 runs. Bangladesh lacked composure in the middle overs and their top order collapse left them no room for recovery. While they’ll take pride in their historic series win over Pakistan, the final match exposed some faults in their line-up that need urgent addressing before future tours.
Sahibzada Farhan’s blazing fifty stops Bangladesh’s clean sweep dreams
Pakistan’s stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha opted to bat first in the final T20I against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. Though Pakistan lost opener Haseebullah Khan early, it was Sahibzada Farhan’s electric knock that set the tone. The stylish right-hander took the attack to Bangladesh’s pace battery, smashing boundaries at will and notching up a rapid 63 off 41 deliveries.
Farhan, along with young Hasan Nawaz, added vital momentum as Pakistan piled up 178/7 in 20 overs. It seemed as if it was Sahibzada Farhan vs Bangladesh, the opener single-handedly kept Pakistan’s innings alive. While the likes of Irfan Khan and Mohammad Nawaz failed to convert their starts, Farhan looked in sublime touch, effortlessly dispatching anything loose.
At 109-4 in the 13th over, Pakistan were wobbling, but Farhan held firm, playing shots all around the ground. Bangladesh had moments of resurgence—especially through Nasum Ahmed and Taskin Ahmed—but Farhan appeared to be batting on a different pitch altogether. Youngster Hasan Nawaz, unfazed by the Bangladeshi short-ball tactics, added crucial late runs. In the final four overs, Pakistan added just 32 runs for 3 wickets, but Farhan’s 63 off 41 balls, laced with 7 fours and 2 sixes, was the bedrock of their total.
Salman Mirza breathes fire
Bangladesh’s run chase of 179 got off to a dreadful start as they lost both openers inside the first 3 overs. Mohammad Naim and Litton Das fell cheaply, and from that point onward, the Tigers were never truly in control. A brief partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Saifuddin tried to resurrect the innings, but the required rate kept climbing.
At 60-4 in 9 overs, Bangladesh still needed 119 runs. Salman Mirza — the young pacer turned the tide with a fiery spell in the middle overs. In the 11th and 13th overs, Mirza dismissed Hridoy and Mahedi Hasan in quick succession, breaking the back of Bangladesh’s chase. His 3/19 not only stalled the run flow but also a collapse that saw Bangladesh bundled out for just 104.
The deep batting line-up of Bangladesh promised resilience, but it failed to deliver when it mattered the most. With 75 needed from the last 6 overs, Bangladesh had Mohammad Saifuddin and Nasum Ahmed at the crease. Despite a couple of big hits from Saifuddin, the scoreboard pressure mounted.
Faheem Ashraf’s clever variations in the 16th over dried up the runs, and in the very next over, Mohammad Nawaz trapped Saifuddin with a sharp turning delivery. The game slipped away rapidly. Captain Agha Salman’s decision to hand the 18th over to leg-spinner Usama Mir proved crucial as he cleaned up Taskin Ahmed. Bangladesh’s lower order swung their bats in vain, but the damage had been done. Eventually, the hosts were bowled out for 104, falling short by a massive 74 runs.
What lies ahead for Pakistan & Bangladesh
Pakistan will breathe a sigh of relief after ending the series on a winning note, but questions still arise. The top order remains fragile, and their heavy reliance on individual brilliance, like that of Farhan and Mirza. Skipper Salman Ali Agha and the think tank must look at building a more cohesive batting unit. On the bright side, the emergence of young talents like Hasan Nawaz and Salman Mirza will boost their bench strength.
Bangladesh, despite losing the final game, will take plenty of positives. Clinching their first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan is no small feat. With more consistent performances from Litton Das and Hridoy and refinement in death bowling strategies, Bangladesh could become a genuine threat to top-tier sides. Their next challenge comes in the Asia Cup, where momentum and morale from this series win could prove invaluable.
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