LAHORE:
Newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson couldn’t have asked for a better start to his tenure, as Pakistan sealed the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh with a comprehensive 57-run win in the second encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday night.
This series marks Hesson’s maiden assignment with the Men in Green, and he has already made a statement. With a 2-0 lead and one game to go, Pakistan have secured the series, showcasing sharp intent and dominant all-round cricket.
Following the victory, Hesson took to Instagram with a brief but upbeat message: “Great start boys, series won.” The sentiment reflected both satisfaction and the promise of things to come under his leadership.
On the field, it was a clinical show from the home side. After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat and piled up a daunting 201 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite the early loss of Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan stitched together a blistering 103-run partnership for the second wicket. Haris smashed 41 off 25, while Farhan stole the show with a scintillating 74 off just 41 deliveries, peppered with four fours and six sixes.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a quickfire 19 off 12 before Hasan Nawaz took charge in the death overs, hammering an unbeaten 51 off just 26 balls, including three sixes and two boundaries, to push Pakistan past the 200-run mark.
Bangladesh began their chase with fireworks, racing to 38 without loss in just three overs. Tanzid Hasan led the charge with a rapid 33 off 19, but the momentum quickly shifted as Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf triggered a dramatic collapse. From 38/0, Bangladesh stumbled to 77/7 within 10 overs.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib provided some late resistance with a spirited 50 off 31 balls, featuring five towering sixes, but it proved too little, too late. Bangladesh were bowled out for 144 in 19 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers delivered a cohesive performance, with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed leading the way with figures of 3 for 19 in his four overs. The supporting cast — Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, and even Saim Ayub — chipped in with a wicket each to seal a dominant win.
With the series already in the bag, Pakistan will look to complete a clean sweep in the third T20I, while Hesson and his charges eye consistency ahead of bigger challenges.