Pakistan thumps Bangladesh by 57 runs to clinch T20 series

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan clinched the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh after winning the second match by a comfortable 57 runs on Friday.

The Pakistan top order set up a 201 total for the second straight time and seven of the eight bowlers took wickets to dismiss Bangladesh for 144 in 19 overs.

Pakistan won the first match by 37 runs on Wednesday and will look for a clean sweep in the final game at the same Lahore venue on Sunday.

Tanzid Hasan scored all 32 runs in the first two overs of the chase but was out for 33 to a stunning reflex catch at short fine leg by Abrar Ahmed.

By the end of the powerplay, Bangladesh was 54-3 and reeling from some splendid catches.

Abrar trapped Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali leg before wicket off successive sharp googlies.

At the halfway mark, Bangladesh was 78-7 and the inevitable was delayed only by No. 9 batter Tanzim Hasan Sakib, whose 50 off 31 was his maiden T20 half-century. He was the last man out as fast bowler Shoriful Islam couldn’t bat after pulling up with a groin injury in his first over.

Sahibzada Farhan starred with the bat in only his 10th T20 since his debut six years ago. He smashed 74 off 41 balls.

Farhan lost the selectors’ favor after four consecutive single-digit scores against Australia last year in the T20 series. But he forced his way back by topping the batting chart in the recent Pakistan Super League.

He got an opportunity after first-choice opener Fakhar Zaman was rested for Friday’s game. Luck favored Farhan when he was dropped off the third ball of the match before he scored.

Saim Ayub was run out in the second over after Farhan refused the third run.

Farhan then added 103 runs off 54 balls with Mohammad Haris (41) as both batted with a new licence to be aggressive under new coach Mike Hesson. Farhan got a second life after his half- century when Mehidy Hasan Miraz could not hold onto a sharp catch in the covers.

Haris was caught at backward point in the 11th over, and Farhan was caught in the next over by Bangladesh captain Litton Das behind the stumps.

Pakistan's middle order didn’t hold back, and its latest T20 batting sensation, Hasan Nawaz, blistered 51 off 25 balls with three sixes and two fours.

But Pakistan scored only 40 runs in the final five overs with an excellent comeback by fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, 2-47.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket