Farhan, Abrar shine as Pakistan seal T20I series with 57-run win over Bangladesh

Sahibzada Farhan (74) and Hasan Nawaz (51 not out) hammered fine fifties, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took 3-19 in his quota of four overs to help Pakistan take a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series with a 57-run win over Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday night.

Pakistan posted 201-6, thanks to a solid batting display by opener Farhan and middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz, who chipped in with a late charge to assert his authority as an emerging star.

Abrar then produced his career-best figures to dismiss Bangladesh for 144 in 19 overs. Tanzim Hasan Sakib top-scored for the visitors with a 31-ball 50 — his maiden T20I half-century.

Abrar's previous best figures were 3-28, achieved against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on December 1, 2024.

This was the second straight win for the hosts after they had outplayed Bangladesh by 37 runs in the opening game on Wednesday at the same venue.

The third and final match will also be held at the same ground on Sunday.

Chasing a tough target, Tanzid Hasan gave Bangladesh a brisk start, scoring 33 off 19 balls with five fours and a six. He dominated a 44-run opening stand with Parvez Hossain Emon (8), who was caught by Hasan Ali off Haris Rauf while running back in the deep.

Tanzid was also dismissed by Faheem Ashraf, caught at fine-leg by Abrar Ahmed. He had earlier hit Salman Ali Agha for two fours and a six in the opening over, which yielded 17 runs.

Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Hasan Ali removed skipper Litton Das (6) in the sixth over to reduce the visitors to 54-3.

In the next over, spinner Abrar Ahmed trapped Towhid Hridoy (5) and Jaker Ali (0) lbw off consecutive deliveries, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 56-5. Towhid’s dismissal was controversial, as replays suggested the ball might have missed leg stump. The series is being played without the DRS.

Abrar then dismissed Shamim Hossain (7), and Shadab Khan removed Rishad Hossain (1) to further compound Bangladesh's problems.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Tanzim Sakib showed some resistance with a 33-run eighth-wicket partnership. It was left-arm spinner Khushdil Shah who broke the stand, dismissing Mehidy for a 17-ball 23, which included two fours.

Bangladesh were 110-8 in 14 overs.

Tanzim continued his fine display, reaching his fifty off 30 balls, hitting five sixes and one four.

Abrar was well supported by Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, and Saim Ayub, who all took one wicket each.

Earlier, Farhan and Hasan Nawaz powered Pakistan to a strong total with attacking fifties.

Farhan scored 74 off 41 balls, while Hasan struck 51 not out off 26 balls to help the hosts post a competitive target.

Farhan carried his PSL form into international cricket, marking a strong return to the national side. Replacing Fakhar Zaman, he looked confident and in control. He narrowly survived in the opening over, but never looked back.

Farhan completed his maiden T20I fifty off 29 balls, hitting six sixes and four fours. He smashed two successive sixes off Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the third over, which went for 14 runs, and repeated the feat off Rishad Hossain in the tenth over, adding 16 runs.

Farhan, who was eventually caught behind off Rishad, added 103 off 54 balls for the second wicket with Mohammad Haris. Haris made 41 off 25 balls, hitting two sixes and four fours. He also struck pacer Hasan Mahmud for three consecutive fours in the sixth over.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib broke the partnership by dismissing Haris, who was caught at point by Rishad.

Agha Salman and Hasan Nawaz then stitched a 45-run stand off 24 balls for the fourth wicket to further boost the total.

Salman was trapped lbw by Hasan Mahmud while attempting a slog sweep. He scored 19 off 12 balls with three fours.

Hasan Nawaz, who had scored an unbeaten 105 against New Zealand in his debut series, played another impressive knock. He hit three sixes and two fours, completing his fifty off 25 balls.

Pakistan lost an early wicket when Saim Ayub was run out for 4 while attempting a third run. He was sent back by Farhan, but slipped and failed to make his ground.

Pakistani team celebrates against Bangladesh at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. @TheRealPCB/X

Pakistan reached 67-1 in the powerplay, 107-1 in ten overs, and 161-3 in 15 overs. They managed 40 runs in the final five overs.

Hasan Mahmud (2-47) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2-36) were the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh. Rishad Hossain was expensive, finishing with 1-50 in four overs.

Earlier, Bangladesh suffered a setback when frontline pacer Shoriful Islam pulled a thigh muscle after bowling just three deliveries in his first over. Shamim Hossain completed the over.

Pakistan made one change, bringing in Sahibzada Farhan in place of Fakhar Zaman. Bangladesh replaced Mahedi Hasan with Mehidy Hasan Miraz.