Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh clinched the Twenty20 International (T20I) series 2-0 against Pakistan after defeating the touring side by eight runs in the second T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital’s Mirpur on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Tigers thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets in the first T20I at the same venue on July 20.
Bangladesh will take on Pakistan tomorrow in the third T20I at the same venue.
Sent into bat first, the Tigers piled up a fighting total of 133 in 20 overs and then all out Pakistan for 125 off 19.2 overs.
Bangladesh made a sorrow start as they lost their early four wickets for 28 runs. Third-down Jaker Ali and fourth-down Mahedi Hasan salvaged their team from danger contributing together 53 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Mahedi Hasan was caught at the long-off by Hasan Nawaz off Mohammad Nawaz when Bangladesh’s total was 81 for the loss of five wickets.
After Mahedi’s dismissal, Bangladesh failed to build any notable partnership.
Jaker Ali notched up a superb 55. His 48-ball innings was belted with five sixes and one four. Jaker Ali was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Mahedi Hasan hit a polished 33. His 25-ball knock had two fours and two sixes.
Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyel and Abbas Afridi bagged two wickets each conceding 17, 23 and 37 runs respectively.
Later, Faheem Ashraf fought back against the tight, controlled and superb bowling attack of Bangladeshi bowlers.
Faheem hit a quick-fire 51. He struck four fours and four sixes in his 32-ball innings before he was bowled out by right-arm spinner Rishad Hossain.
Shoriful Islam grabbed three wickets in the space of 17 runs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mahedi Hasan bagged two wickets each instead of 23 and 25 runs respectively. Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain took one wicket each giving 15 and 42 runs respectively.
