Pakistan thrash Bangladesh despite 196 run chase

The batter who couldn’t cross 32 runs in 10 matches for Duronto Rajshahi in the last BPL — Mohammad Haris — turned the tables completely this time. His explosive 107 off 46 balls devastated Bangladesh, sealing a 3-0 series sweep for Pakistan.

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Score Summary Bangladesh: 196/6 in 20 overs Pakistan: 197/3 in 17.2 overs

Before the match, commentator Aamer Sohail described the pitch as “like a concrete slab.” And once the match started, it became clear — it truly was a batting paradise. Even after scoring 196 runs, it never looked enough for Bangladesh. It was their highest total ever against Pakistan in T20s, yet still felt short — and Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub proved exactly why.

Having won the toss in the previous two matches and chosen to bat first, Pakistan opted for a different strategy in the final T20. This time, skipper Salman Ali Agha chose to bowl, stating they wanted to challenge themselves with a chase. And challenge accepted — and conquered — thanks to Haris’ ruthless century.

With a dominant 7-wicket win in the final game, Pakistan completed a clean sweep over Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series.

Batting first, Bangladesh put up a strong total of 196 in 20 overs, powered by a fiery half-century from Parvez Hossain Emon. But Pakistan, driven by a record crowd of 30,000 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, stormed to victory with 16 balls to spare.

Haris, coming in at number three, was in a league of his own. He smashed 8 fours and 7 sixes en route to an unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls — the first-ever T20I century by a Pakistani who didn’t open the innings.

It was a stunning transformation for Haris. He had no fifties in his previous 16 T20 internationals. But today, he dismantled the Bangladeshi bowling with ease.

After Pakistan lost a wicket in the first over, Haris and Saim Ayub built a crucial second-wicket partnership of 92 runs off 53 balls. Saim kicked off the chase by lofting Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six in the very first over. Though Farhan fell to a boundary catch later that over, Haris kept the pressure off Pakistan, launching his innings with back-to-back boundaries off Hasan Mahmud.

Debutant Syed Khaled Ahmed started promisingly, but Haris shook his rhythm with a four and a six. Together with Saim, Haris dismantled both pace and spin attacks alike, powering Pakistan past 100 in just 10 overs.

Saim’s knock of 45 off 29 ended when he gave his wicket to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, but by then, the damage had been done.

Bangladesh never recovered. Nawaz joined Haris and immediately sent Rishad Hossain over the ropes. He then hit a four and a six off Miraz before falling for 26 off 13.

Haris, however, remained unstoppable. He reached his maiden T20I fifty in just 25 balls, and from there, accelerated even faster toward three figures. His previous best in all T20s was 87 from 127 matches — which he comfortably surpassed. After reaching his hundred, he was joyfully lifted into the air by skipper Salman.

Haris fell just one ball short of matching Hasan Nawaz’s record for the fastest T20I century (44 balls), but with the win sealed, he had little reason for regret.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh welcomed the chance to bat first after struggling in chases. Openers Parvez and Tanzid Hasan gave them a blazing start, adding 110 for the first wicket.

Saim Ayub surprisingly opened the bowling and was hit for a boundary on the first ball by Tanzid. The first two overs yielded just eight runs, but then Parvez lit up the scoreboard. He struck two sixes and a four off Saim’s next over, and continued to unleash a flurry of elegant strokes.

Tanzid, quiet at first, joined the party with three quick sixes. The powerplay ended with Bangladesh at a healthy 53/0.

The two 2020 U-19 World Cup winners finally registered their first international 50+ stand together. Parvez, in particular, was in top gear. Even Abrar Ahmed, who had troubled Bangladesh in the previous game, had no answer — getting hit for a six and two boundaries in his first over.

Tanzid reached 42 off 32 balls before falling to a ramp shot that was caught at short third man. Their 110-run stand is Bangladesh’s second-highest T20I opening partnership — behind the 124-run stand between Liton Das and Rony Talukdar against Ireland in 2023.

In the very next over, Parvez (66 off 37) departed as well, handing a return catch to Shadab Khan.

Despite the strong foundation, Bangladesh couldn’t quite capitalize. Liton Das hit one six off Shadab but managed only 22 off 18 balls. Towhid Hridoy started brightly with a six and a four but slowed down before getting out for 25 off 18.

In between, Shamim Hossain hit a couple of boundaries before getting out, and Miraz failed to contribute. Later, Jaker Ali added a useful 15 off 9, and Tanzim’s last-over six helped push the score close to 200.

Even so, it felt like they were 10–15 runs short — and the way Haris batted, even 220 might not have been enough.

Haris was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his incredible tally of 179 runs across three games. Bangladesh, meanwhile, return home empty-handed after suffering five straight losses across tours of UAE and Pakistan.