What's happened
Pakistan secured a 3-0 series victory over Bangladesh in T20 internationals, winning the third match by seven wickets. Mohammad Haris scored an unbeaten 107, leading Pakistan to chase down Bangladesh's total of 196 with 16 balls to spare. This series marks Pakistan's first T20 home series win since 2021.
What's behind the headline?
Performance Highlights
- Mohammad Haris: Scored 107 off 46 balls, marking his first T20 century and becoming the first non-opening Pakistan batter to achieve this feat.
- Saim Ayub: Contributed 45 runs, forming a crucial 92-run partnership with Haris.
- Bangladesh's Struggles: Despite a strong start with a 110-run opening partnership, Bangladesh faltered in the middle overs, scoring only 46 runs in the last five overs.
Strategic Insights
- Aggressive Approach: Pakistan's new aggressive batting strategy under Hesson was evident, with Haris exemplifying this by hitting seven sixes.
- Bowling Performance: Shadab Khan and Abbas Afridi played key roles in restricting Bangladesh's scoring, with Afridi taking two wickets and conceding only eight runs in his final two overs.
Future Implications
- This series win boosts Pakistan's confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup, showcasing their depth and ability to perform under pressure. The decision to rest seasoned players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi may pay off as younger players gain valuable experience.
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Haris expressed his determination to seize the opportunity, stating, "I tried to learn from my mistakes and didn’t want to waste this opportunity that I got to play in this series." AP News highlighted the aggressive batting approach adopted by Pakistan, noting that Haris's performance was a significant part of this strategy. The Guardian emphasized the importance of this series win for Pakistan, marking their first home series victory since 2021, while also reflecting on Bangladesh's inability to maintain momentum after a strong start in their innings. Gulf News reported on the broader implications of this series for both teams, particularly focusing on the need for Bangladesh to improve consistency in their performances.
How we got here
The series featured a new-look Pakistan team under captain Salman Agha and coach Mike Hesson, who aimed to test fringe players ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan had previously won the first two matches convincingly, setting the stage for a decisive third match.
Go deeper
- What were the key moments in the series?
- How did Pakistan's strategy change under the new coach?
- What does this series win mean for both teams moving forward?
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