Bangladesh lost the second T20I to Pakistan by 57 runs in Lahore on Friday. With this defeat, Pakistan sealed the three-match series 2-0.
Chasing 202 to win, Bangladesh were never in control. They finished on 144 for nine. Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the top scorer with 50 from 31 balls. He came in at number nine and showed the most fight.
Shoriful Islam did not bat due to injury. He got hurt while bowling in the first innings.
Opener Tanzid Tamim started well again. But just like in the first match, he threw his wicket away. He made 33 from 19 balls. Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 23 from 17. No other batter reached double figures.
Pakistan’s bowlers kept it tight. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took 3 wickets for just 19 runs — his best in T20Is. Mohammad Amir and Abbas Afridi supported him well.
Earlier, Pakistan batted first and scored 201 for 6. Opener Sahibzada Farhan led the charge. He made 74 off 41 balls with six sixes and four fours. It was his best T20I knock.
Farhan lost partner Saim Ayub early. But then he and Mohammad Haris built a 103-run stand off 54 balls. Haris made 41 from 25 balls.
Farhan fell in the 12th over, caught by Litton Das off Rishad Hossain. Hasan Nawaz then finished the innings strongly. He hit 51 not out off 26 balls, with three sixes and two fours.
For Bangladesh, Tanzim Sakib took 2 wickets for 36 runs. Hasan Mahmud also picked up two, but gave away 47 runs. Rishad Hossain was the most expensive — 50 runs for one wicket.
Shoriful Islam left the field with a groin injury in the second over. Shamim Hossain had to complete the over.
This is the second game in a row where Bangladesh failed to chase 200. Pakistan posted the same total in the first match. Bangladesh lost that one by 37 runs.
Now, with the series gone, the final match on Sunday is a dead rubber.
Once again, Bangladesh’s batting approach was poor. The top order failed. There was no real intent. The bowlers also struggled, and injuries added to the problems.
Bangladesh must reflect on this series. They need better planning and more fight to compete at this level.