LAHORE: Opener Sahibzada Farhan and emerging Hasan Nawaz scored swashbuckling half-centuries to power Pakistan to a massive total in the second T20I of the three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to bat first proved beneficial as his team’s batting unit accumulated 201/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The home side, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as their left-handed opener Saim Ayub (four) in the second over with just 12 runs on the board.
Following the early stutter, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris joined Farhan in the middle and the duo partnered strongly to turn the tide back in the hosts’ favour.
Farhan and Haris dominated the Bangladesh bowlers during their second-wicket partnership and added 103 runs at a brisk rate before both perished in quick succession.
Sahibzada Farhan remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 41-ball 74, studded with four fours and six sixes, while Haris made 41 off 25 deliveries with the help of four fours and two sixes.
Following the back-to-back dismissals, Agha and Hasan Nawaz put together a crucial 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket and kept the momentum in Pakistan’s favour.
The stand culminated with Agha’s dismissal in the 16th over when he was trapped lbw by Hasan Mahmud while playing a ramp shot. He scored 19 off 12 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.
Hasan then shared a brief 24-run partnership with Shadab Khan, who could score seven off 10 deliveries before falling victim to Mahmud in the penultimate over.
Hasan, on the other hand, batted until the end and walked back after scoring an unbeaten 51 off 26 deliveries, laced with two fours and three sixes.
For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mahmud bagged two wickets each, while Rishad Hossain chipped in with one.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud and Shoriful Islam.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
