Pakistan end series with consolation win as Bangladesh collapse to 104

Bangladesh were staring at the threat of breaking their own shameful record when they lost seven wickets for just 41 runs. Nine years ago in Mirpur, they had set their lowest T20 total of 70 runs, against New Zealand. But today against Pakistan at home, their batting was even more dreadful, collapsing to 41-7. In comparison, at Eden Gardens in the 2016 T20 World Cup, Bangladesh were 43-5 before being bowled out for 70. Today's start was even more fragile. However, the lower-order batters ensured that no new record of embarrassment was created. What they could not avoid, though, was defeat. Having already lost the series, Pakistan clinched a 74-run consolation win in the final match.

In the last T20I of the series, Pakistan set a target of 179 runs for Bangladesh. In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 104 in 16.3 overs. This was their third-lowest T20I total against Pakistan. The series ended 2-1.

Chasing the target, nine Bangladeshi batters failed to reach double figures. Mohammad Saifuddin top-scored with 35 off 34 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours. Opener Naim Sheikh scored 10 runs. Bangladesh's last three partnerships reached double figures. Saifuddin and Nasum Ahmed added 24 runs for the eighth wicket, which erased the fear of the lowest total. Thanks to Saifuddin's innings, Bangladesh crossed 100. For Pakistan, pacer Salman Mirza took three wickets for 19 runs, while Faheem Ashraf claimed two for 13.

Salman Ali Agha's team had no option but to win to avoid a whitewash. Bangladesh had the chance to become only the fourth team after Ireland, England, and West Indies to whitewash Pakistan in T20Is.

At Mirpur, Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat first. From the start, the difference in pitch conditions was clear. Unlike the previous two matches where batters struggled to score, this time Pakistan's batting and bowling bounce suggested a sporting wicket. Taking that opportunity, Pakistan scored 178 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs, powered by Sahibzada Farhan's fifty.

Pakistan scored 57 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Despite not playing in the first two matches, Sahibzada was ruthless today. He reached his fifty when the team score was 71. Another opener, Saim Ayub, had just started to attack before disaster struck.

Nasum Ahmed, playing his first T20I in two years, broke the opening stand by dismissing Saim in the eighth over with Pakistan at 82. The scoring rate then slowed, and wickets began to fall. In the 12th over, Nasum also removed Sahibzada, who scored 63 off 41 balls with five sixes and six fours. This was his second career T20I fifty, with his first also coming against Bangladesh.

Mohammad Haris failed again, scoring just five runs off 14 balls. Hussain Talat (1) too could not justify his selection. By 15.2 overs, Pakistan were 132-5. Hasan Nawaz played a quick cameo of 33 runs off 17 balls, hitting three sixes and a four.

A sixth-wicket partnership of 41 runs in 23 balls between captain Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz propelled Pakistan towards a big total. Nawaz scored 27 off 16 balls, while Salman remained unbeaten on 12. Taskin Ahmed took three wickets and Nasum Ahmed took two.