Haris hits maiden ton as Pakistan whitewash Bangladesh in T20I series finale

Stumper Mohammad Haris blasted his maiden hundred to help Pakistan complete a whitewash of Bangladesh, defeating the visitors by seven wickets in the third and final game of the three-match T20I series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Sunday night.

In front of a huge crowd, Haris smashed an unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls as Pakistan chased the 197-run target with 16 balls to spare, losing only three wickets.

Earlier, Bangladesh rode on the batting heroics of Parvez Hossain Emon (66) and Tanzid Hasan (42) to post 196-6.

Set to chase a competitive total, Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan (1) early when he was caught at deep square-leg by Mehidy Hasan Miraz off leg-spinner Rishad Hossain in the first over.

However, Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub batted superbly, adding 92 off 53 balls for the second wicket to give the hosts a solid foundation. It was Tanzim Hasan Sakib who broke the stand by removing Saim for a 29-ball 45, which included four sixes and two fours.

Haris then added 37 runs for the third wicket with Hasan Nawaz, who chipped in with a fiery 13-ball 26, featuring two sixes and two fours.

Haris dominated the unbeaten 60-run fourth-wicket stand with Salman Ali Agha, who remained not out on a 12-ball 15.

Haris’s knock was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s chase. He brought up his fifty off 25 balls and reached his hundred in 45 deliveries, taking a couple off Hasan Mahmud in the 17th over.

This was Haris’s 17th T20I, with his previous best being 41. He smashed seven sixes and eight fours in his brilliant innings.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the pick of the bowlers with 2-26 in three overs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib took 1-36 in three overs. Debutant Khaled Ahmed conceded 37 runs in his four overs.

Pakistan had last clean-swept a T20I series at home against the West Indies in December 2021.

Earlier, openers Parvez Hossain Emon (66) and Tanzid Hasan (42) gave Bangladesh a flying start, helping them post 196-6—their highest T20I total against Pakistan.

After being invited to bat first, the openers added 110 runs off 74 balls, providing a solid platform to the visitors, who had already lost the first two matches.

It was Bangladesh’s highest first-wicket stand against Pakistan, surpassing the previous 71-run partnership between Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Naim on January 24, 2020, also at Gaddafi Stadium. It was also Bangladesh’s second-highest opening stand in T20Is against any team.

Faheem Ashraf broke the stand in the 11th over when he had Tanzid caught by Abrar Ahmed. Tanzid, who had been dropped by Faheem off Hasan Ali on six, hit three sixes and three fours in his 32-ball 42.

In the next over, leg-spinner Shadab Khan dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored a 34-ball 66 with four sixes and seven fours.

Parvez smacked Saim Ayub for two sixes and a four in the third over, which yielded 19 runs. He later hit Abrar Ahmed for a six and two fours in the eighth over, adding 16 runs.

Skipper Litton Das then took charge and, along with Towhid Hridoy, added 49 off 32 balls for the third wicket before being bowled by Hasan Ali. Das struck one six and one four in his 18-ball 22.

Towhid also fell soon after, undone by Abbas Afridi, with Saim Ayub taking a comfortable catch in the deep. Towhid scored 25 off 18 balls, hitting one six and two fours.

Jaker Ali finished with a brisk 15 not out off nine balls, striking one six and one four.

Bangladesh were 53 without loss in the powerplay, 99 without loss after 10 overs, and 150-2 after 15 overs. They added 46 runs in the final five overs.

Abbas Afridi (2-26 in four overs) and Hasan Ali (2-38 in four) were the pick of the bowlers. Faheem Ashraf took 1-41 in four overs, while Shadab Khan finished with 1-26 in three.

Earlier, Pakistan made one change, bringing in Abbas Afridi for Haris Rauf. Bangladesh introduced debutant Khaled Ahmed in place of Shoriful Islam, who sustained an injury in the previous match and had to leave the field after bowling just three balls.