Pakistan win second match in row, seal series

Pakistan mastered second victory in a row thus seal the three match Twenty20 international series with one match to spare.

The home team earned an ever bigger win in the second match as they defeated Bangladesh by 9 wickets with more than three overs to spare at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

Skipper Babar Azam and experienced campaigner Mohammad Hafeez produced masterful half-centuries to steer Pakistan to overcome Bangladesh’s paltry total of 136.

Babar completed his 13th T20I half century on the way to his 44-ball 66 not out while Hafeez made an undefeated 49-ball 67.

Mahmudullah Riyad, for the second time in a row won the toss and decided to bat first. But unlike the first ODI, Bangladesh failed to make a good start in this occasion.

Naim Sheikh suffered a golden duck. The condition worsened for the team when Mohammad Mithun’s replacement Mahedi and Liton Kumar were dismissed in low scores.

Tamim Iqbal following his good vein of runs from the first match, stood solid at one end before falling short of the crease against a Imad Wasim throw scoring highest 65 runs for the team.

Bangladesh failed to built a challenging with frail middle order batting accompanied by some strict bowling by Pakistani bowlers.

Bangladesh’s highest partnership was 31 in the fourth wicket formed between Tamim Iqbal and Afif Hossain. Afif knocked a six and a boundary in his 20-ball 21.

Skipper Mahmudullah scored run-a-ball 12 as Bangladesh managed 48 in the last five overs.

Mohammad Hasnain picked up 2 wickets for 20.

Bangladesh lost the first match of the series by 5 wickets yesterday.

Third and final match of the series will be held on Monday (January 27) at the same venue.

Bangladesh : 136/6 in 20 overs (Tamim 65, Afif 21, Mahmudullah 12; Hasnain 2/20, Shaheen 1/22, Rauf 1/27)

Pakistan : 137/1 in 16.4 overs (Hafeez 67*, Babar 66*; Shafiul 1/27)

Result : Pakistan won by 9 wickets.

Player of the Match : Babar Azam.