Lahore, Sunday – Mohammad Haris announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion, smashing a blistering maiden T20I century to lead Pakistan to a dominant seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Haris’ explosive 107 off just 46 balls, studded with eight fours and seven sixes, propelled Pakistan to a 3-0 series clean sweep—their first home T20I series win in three-and-a-half years.
Match Summary
- Bangladesh: 196/6 (20 overs) – Parvez Hossain (66 off 34), Tanzid Hasan (42 off 32)
- Pakistan: 197/3 (17.2 overs) – Mohammad Haris (107* off 46), Saim Ayub (45 off 29)
- Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets (with 16 balls remaining)
- Player of the Match: Mohammad Haris
- Player of the Series: Mohammad Haris
Haris’ Heroics Seal the Series in Style
Chasing a challenging 197-run target, Pakistan suffered an early setback when Sahibzada Farhan (1) fell in the first over. However, Haris took charge from the outset, launching a brutal assault on the Bangladeshi bowlers.
- Second-wicket stand (92 runs): Haris and Saim Ayub (45 off 29) dismantled Bangladesh’s bowling attack, with Ayub contributing four sixes and two boundaries.
- Unbroken 60-run partnership: After Ayub and Hasan Nawaz (26 off 13) departed, Haris found support from Salman Agha (15*) as Pakistan cruised to victory in 17.2 overs.
- Century in 45 balls: Haris reached his maiden T20I hundred in style, finishing unbeaten on 107 off 46—the third-fastest T20I century by a Pakistani batter (after Ahmed Shehzad and Rizwan).
Key Moments from Pakistan’s Chase
- Powerplay Dominance: Pakistan raced to 85/1 in the first six overs, the highest powerplay score in the series.
- Haris’ Six-Hitting Spree: The 22-year-old targeted Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, hitting them for multiple sixes.
- Finishing Flair: Haris sealed the win with a massive six off Shoriful Islam, sparking wild celebrations in Lahore.
Bangladesh’s Fighting Total Led by Parvez Hossain
Earlier, Bangladesh posted a competitive 196/6, thanks to a 110-run opening stand between Parvez Hossain (66 off 34) and Tanzid Hasan (42 off 32).
- Parvez’s Aggressive Knock: The left-hander hammered seven fours and four sixes, setting the tone for Bangladesh’s highest T20I total against Pakistan (previous best: 175/6 in 2012).
- Middle-Order Contributions:
- Towhid Hridoy (25 off 18)
- Litton Das (22 off 18)
- Pakistan’s Bowling:
- Abbas Afridi (2/26) and Hasan Ali (2/38) were the pick of the bowlers.
- Shaheen Afridi (1/39) struggled for control but took a crucial wicket.
Despite the strong total, Bangladesh’s bowling had no answers for Haris’ onslaught.
Series Takeaways
- Pakistan’s Batting Firepower:
- Haris, Ayub, and Nawaz showcased Pakistan’s aggressive new approach in T20Is.
- The team successfully chased 180+ targets in all three matches.
- Bangladesh’s Struggles Continue:
- Bowling Weakness: Lack of penetration in the powerplay and death overs.
- Over-Reliance on Openers: Middle-order collapses remained an issue.
- Emergence of Mohammad Haris:
- Player of the Series with 224 runs at a strike rate of 190+.
- Now a strong contender for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Post-Match Reactions
Mohammad Haris (Player of the Match & Series)
“I just wanted to play my natural game. The team needed a big knock, and I’m glad I could deliver. The crowd support was amazing, and I hope to keep performing like this.”
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan Captain)
“Haris played an outstanding innings. The way the young players are stepping up is great for Pakistan cricket. We wanted to dominate, and this clean sweep is a perfect result.”
Litton Das (Bangladesh Captain)
“We batted well, but our bowling let us down. Haris was brilliant, and we couldn’t stop him. We have a lot to improve before the next series.”
What’s Next?
- Pakistan: Prepares for a five-match T20I series against England ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
- Bangladesh: Will look to regroup before their home series against Zimbabwe.
Final Verdict
Pakistan’s dominant 3-0 sweep signals a new era in their T20 cricket, with fearless batting and young talent rising to the occasion. For Bangladesh, bowling deficiencies remain a major concern as they head into future assignments.
Who stood out for you in this series? Let us know in the comments! 🏏
