Home
+
Published : 31 May 2025, 03:42 AM
Bangladesh have slumped to a comprehensive 57-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the second T20 in a one-sided contest that sealed the series for the hosts with a game still to play.
After showing some fight in the opening game, Litton Das’s side collapsed across batting, bowling, and fielding to hand Pakistan a dominant victory in Lahore on Friday.
Pakistan, batting first again, posted 201 for 5, the exact same total as the first match. The innings was powered by a blistering 74 off 41 balls from Sahibzada Farhan, who marked his return to international cricket with six sixes.
Despite surviving three chances, the opener built a match-defining platform with a 103-run stand off 54 balls alongside Mohammad Haris (41 off 25).
In reply, Bangladesh folded for 144, with only Tanzim Hasan Sakib showing resistance.
The pacer, batting at no 9, struck 50 off 30 balls, the highest score by a Bangladeshi in that position, to reduce the margin of defeat but not altering the outcome.
FARHAN FIRES, TIGERS FALTER
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat on another flat surface. With Fakhar Zaman sidelined by illness, Farhan ensured his absence was not felt.
After Saim Ayub was run out early, Farhan and Haris took apart the Bangladesh bowling attack during the powerplay, adding 67 in 6 overs.
Farhan reached his maiden T20I fifty off 29 balls and eventually departed for 74.
Haris fell earlier to a slower ball from Tanzim.
Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan failed to build on the platform, but Hasan Nawaz finished strongly with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls to push Pakistan past 200.
Despite a spirited final spell from Bangladesh, which conceded just 46 runs in the last six overs, the target proved well beyond reach.
BRIGHT START, RAPID COLLAPSE
Bangladesh's chase began brightly with Tanzid Hasan smashing 33 off 19 balls, including a six and two fours in the opening two overs. But once he and Parvez Hossain Emon fell in quick succession, the innings unraveled.
From 44 without loss, Bangladesh slumped to 56 for 5, losing five wickets for just 12 runs.
Skipper Litton (6) and Towhid Hridoy (5) both fell cheaply, the former visibly frustrated after a miscommunication with Hridoy.
Zakir Ali, playing his first ball, was trapped lbw by Abrar Ahmed’s googly.
Only Mehidy Hasan Miraz (23 off 17) and Tanzim provided some resistance, but by then, the match was beyond reach.
After the first match, the Bangladesh captain admitted: “We didn’t bat, bowl or field well.”
His post-match reaction this time could only be worse. Bangladesh were outplayed in every aspect again, arguably more so than in the opener.
With one match left in the series, the Tigers are now left looking for redemption and answers before returning home.
