LAHORE: Pakistan swept the three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh by winning the final encounter by seven wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday evening, completing their first home series whitewash in three and a half years.
Mohammad Haris was the architect of Pakistan’s comprehensive triumph, cracking a maiden T20I century that proved to be the highlight of a memorable series finale.
Before an almost filled stadium that witnessed cricketing history, Pakistan overpowered the Bengal Tigers by overcoming their competitive total of 196 for six, mustering 197 for three in just 17.2 overs with 16 balls to spare. This victory capped off a dominant series performance where Pakistan won the opening two matches by 37 and 57 runs respectively, demonstrating their superiority across all three encounters.
Bangladesh delivered their most impressive batting performance of the series, posting a competitive total of 196 runs for six wickets after Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. The visitors showed remarkable resilience and intent with both teams making one change each — Pakistan rested Haris Rauf while replacing him with Abbas Afridi, and Bangladesh brought in Khaled Ahmed as replacement for the injured Shoriful Islam.
The foundation of Bangladesh’s fighting total was laid by their explosive opening partnership that completely dominated the Pakistan bowling attack in the initial stages. Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon combined for a spectacular 110-run opening stand that set the tone for the innings, with the duo reaching their fifty-run partnership in just 33 balls and the hundred-run milestone in 61 deliveries.
Parvez Hossain Emon emerged as the star performer, clobbering his first T20 international half-century in just 27 balls before going on to compile a magnificent 66 off 34 balls, an innings decorated with seven boundaries and four sixes that showcased his aggressive intent from the outset. Tanzid Hasan provided excellent support at the other end, contributing a valuable 42 off 32 balls with three fours and three sixes, ensuring the opening partnership maintained its momentum throughout.
The pair’s approach was relentless during the Power-play overs, where Bangladesh accumulated 53 runs without losing a wicket, providing the perfect platform for a substantial total. However, once the opening partnership was broken with Tanzid’s dismissal for 42 in the 11th over, followed immediately by Emon’s departure for 66 just three balls later, Bangladesh faced a challenging period as Pakistan’s bowlers fought back.
The middle order showed character and determination to rebuild the innings, with Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy forging a crucial 49-run partnership for the third wicket that prevented a complete collapse. Litton Das contributed a brisk 22 off 17 balls with one four and one six, while Towhid Hridoy played a measured knock of 25 off 18 balls, striking two fours and one six to keep Bangladesh’s scoring rate healthy.
Pakistan’s bowling attack showed mixed results, with Mohammad Abbas Afridi being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2-26, proving his inclusion was justified as he provided crucial breakthroughs. Hasan Ali claimed 2-38 but was expensive, while Faheem Ashraf conceded 41 runs for his single wicket. Shadab Khan maintained his consistency with 1-26, providing control in the middle overs when Bangladesh threatened to post an even bigger total.
Chasing 197 for victory, Pakistan approached their target with typical aggression and precision, with Mohammad Haris producing a career-defining performance that will be remembered for years to come. The wicket-keeper batsman crafted a sensational unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls, an innings embellished with eight boundaries and seven towering sixes that left the Gaddafi Stadium crowd in raptures.
Haris’s journey to his maiden T20I century was nothing short of spectacular. He reached his half-century in just 25 balls, showcasing his intent from the very beginning, before accelerating even further to reach three figures — marking not just his first T20I hundred but also his career’s first century in any format. His innings was a masterclass in power-hitting combined with intelligent shot selection, as he systematically dismantled Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
After the early loss of Sahibzada Farhan for just 1 run, Saim Ayub joined Haris to forge a crucial 92-run partnership that laid the foundation for Pakistan’s successful chase. Ayub played his part perfectly with a supporting knock of 45 off 29 balls, striking two fours and four sixes, allowing Haris the freedom to express himself at the other end.
Following Ayub’s departure, Hasan Nawaz continued the momentum with a quickfire 26 off 13 balls, including two fours and two sixes, ensuring Pakistan remained ahead of the required rate throughout their 37 runs third wicket partnership with Haris.
The final flourish came through an unbroken 60-run stand between Haris and Salman Ali Agha, who remained not out on 15. This partnership sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, with Haris continuing his boundary-hitting spree to guide Pakistan home with more than two overs to spare.
Despite setting a competitive target, Bangladesh’s bowling attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s aggressive approach. Mehidy Hasan Miraz emerged as their most effective bowler with figures of 2-26, claiming the wickets of both openers, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib managed 1-36. However, the bowling unit lacked the penetration and consistency required to defend their total against Pakistan’s determined batting lineup.
This comprehensive seven-wicket victory completed Pakistan’s first home series whitewash in three and a half years, marking a significant milestone in their T20I journey. Pakistan’s last series win was against the West Indies in December 2022. The 3-0 series result reflects Pakistan’s dominance across all departments — batting, bowling, and fielding — throughout the three matches.
The series statistics tell the story of Pakistan’s superiority: they won the first match by 37 runs, the second by 57 runs, and concluded with this seven-wicket triumph. In each encounter, different Pakistani players stepped up to deliver match-winning performances, demonstrating the depth and versatility of their squad.
Mohammad Haris’s magnificent unbeaten century undoubtedly makes him the standout candidate for Player of the Match, with his innings being the defining moment of not just the final game but potentially the entire series. His ability to chase down a challenging target with such authority and style showcased the temperament and skill that makes him such a valuable asset to Pakistan’s T20I setup.
This series whitewash provides Pakistan with tremendous confidence as they continue their T20I journey. The emergence of players like Mohammad Haris as match-winners, combined with consistent contributions from established stars, suggests a bright future for Pakistan’s shortest format ambitions.
For Bangladesh, despite the series result, the fighting performances in the final match, particularly the opening partnership, provide building blocks for future encounters.
The packed Gaddafi Stadium crowd witnessed not just a series victory but a statement of intent from Pakistan cricket, as they demonstrated their capability to dominate international opposition on home soil with a perfect blend of youth and experience.
