2nd T20I: Fakhar Zaman, bowlers help Pakistan crush Bangladesh by 8 wickets to win series in Dhaka

Pakistan put up another stellar performance to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after beating Bangladesh by eight wickets in the second T20I in Dhaka on Saturday.

The hosts were reduced to 108 for 7 in 20 overs, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan taking two wickets each for the visitors.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Afif Hossain were the only two batsmen to make any contribution with the bat scoring 40 and 20 runs respectively.

In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in 18.1 overs by scoring an unbeaten 57 off Fakhar Zaman’s 51 balls with the help of 2 fours and 3 sixes. Mohammad Rizwan also contributed with 39 while Babar Azam (1) suffered a rare failure.

Babar Azam said, “I am happy with the effort of the team, the way the boys carried the momentum. We bowled well in the middle overs, finished it well.”

“We started well, Afif and Shanto batted well. Me and Shanto were trying to build a partnership but couldn’t capitalize on it in the last few overs.

He said, ‘I think a team like us needs a set batsman till the 15th over, we did not do that. The boys are working hard in training, taking catches, doing everything right but missing out on opportunities.

“I think in the last five-six months, our bowling unit has been excellent in both the pace and spin department. It is the batting unit that has to deliver,” Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said.

Both the teams will face each other in the final T20 match to be held in Dhaka on 22 November.