ZCZC
BSP-19
CRICKET-BD-PAK-2ND-T20
Bangladesh concedes series after nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan
DHAKA, Jan 25, 2020 (BSS)-Bangladesh put up yet another listless
performance to suffer a humiliating nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the
second T20 International at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.
By virtue of the defeat, Bangladesh conceded the three-match series,
making the third match on Monday a dead-rubber.
Despite a 53 ball-65 from opener Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh could compile
just 136-6, a score that Pakistan easily overhauled, making 137-1 in 16.4
overs, thanks to half-century from captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez.
They combined for a 131-run for the undefeated second wickets stand to
hasten the victory. Hafeez was not out on 67 off 49 with nine fours and one
six while Babar smashed an unbeaten 44 ball-66, hitting seven fours and one
six.
In what turned out to be Bangladesh’s must-win game in three-match series,
the Tigers yet again won the toss and opted to bat first but the middle order
failed to show any unwavering resolve in batting.
Tamim held together the innings and clobbered seven fours and one six in
his knock before being run-out in the 18th over. Afif Hossain made 21 off 20
while captain Mahmudullah Riyad scored 12.
Tamim’s fellow opener Naim Sheikh got a first ball-duck in the second over
after he edged one to wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan in the bowling of Shaheen
Shah Afridi.
Mahedi Hasan who replaced Mohammad Mithun scored 9 while Liton Das (8)
also fell for single digit figure, leaving Bangladesh at 41-3 in eighth over.
Tamim and Afif added 45-run for the fourth wicket stand before Mohammad
Hasnain got the better of Afif.
Tamim however then reached his seventh half-century but when it was the
time to compensate his slower knock, he was trapped run-out.
Pakistani bowlers bowled well in tandem in the death overs, leaving
Bangladesh clueless.
Hasnain grabbed 2-20 while Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan
picked up one wicket apiece.
Shafiul Islam dismissed opener Ahsan Ali in the second over but Pakistan
regrouped nicely thanks to Babar and Hafeez who batted with steely resolve to
make the match a one-way traffic.
They were initially watchful and scored just 35 runs in the first power-
play, just two runs more than what Bangladesh made. But unlike the Tigers,
Pakistani duo made up the slow start once they got themselves set in the
crease.
While Babar Azam who got dismissed for a duck in the first match played
with attacking mindset, Hafeez struggled a bit and at one phase, his score
was 17 off 29.
But Hafeez was the first to reach the half-century, his 11th half-century
off just 39 balls. Babar then brought up his 13th half-century, steering
Mustafizur to third man region for a single before he pulled him for a six.
With the duo competing to surpass each other, Bangladesh found them in
vulnerable state and finally bowed down without any resistance.
BSS/SMP/MSY/1840 hrs