Tigers suffer heavy defeat as poor batting show continues

Pakistan thrash Bangladesh by huge 8 wicket victory to seal the series with 1 match remaining to be played.

Chasing a measly total of 109 runs, Pakistan never looked nervous, although Mustafizur Rahman picked up the wicket of the skipper Babar Azam in the third over of the innings. 

Mohammad Rizwan looked out of touch, however, was able to ensure that his team do not suffer any further damage. He stitched a match-winning 85 runs partnership with Fakhar Zaman before getting caught by Saif Hassan at the backward point in an Aminul Islam delivery. 

However, Rizan's slow innings (39 off 45) couldn't deter Pakistan's run rate as Fakhar kept pushing at the other end with a decent strike rate. He played a fine unbeaten knock of 57 (51), thanks to a dropped catch by Saif. 

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafiz showed some fighting spirit as they bowled well with swing and bounce, exploiting the Mirpur conditions. 

Aminul Islam was considerably good as he almost got Fakhar only if Saif Hasan could take a rather easy catch. He finished the game with 1 wicket, giving away 30 runs. Taskin and Mahedi both bowled with good line and length but remained wicketless. 

Things looked even worse for the Tigers as Mustafiz walked off the field with some sort of discomfort in the 13th over of the Pakistan innings. Although it didn't look bad, we will have to wait till BCB gives an update.

Earlier in the game, skipper Mahmudullah chose to bat in the second consecutive game after winning the toss. 

The Tigers were expected to do better as they showed resilience in the previous game. However, it was another usual day in the office for Bangladesh as both the openers fell cheaply.

Shaheen Shah Afridi trapped Saif Hassan for an LBW in the very first delivery of the innings. Saif, who missed everything of a perfect inswinger, walked to the pavilion having yet another golden duck.

His partner Naim Sheikh didn't survive long as he edged one at the first slip off a Mohammad Wasim delivery. 

Afif Hossain and Najmul Hossain Shanto then put a 47 runs stand in an attempt to rebuild the innings. The duo ensured a decent total (36-2) in the powerplay for Bangladesh.

The good-looking partnership ended soon as Afif (20 off 21) got caught by the wicketkeeper Rizwan off a Shadab Khan delivery, trying to play a weird reverse-cheeky. 

Mahmudullah couldn't survive long either as he threw away his wicket trying to guide a cheeky past the keeper. His wicket ensured a collapse in the lower order. From 78-3 from 12 overs, Bangladesh slipped to 88-6 at the end of the 16th over.

After that, Bangladesh couldn't add much as the tail-enders found it difficult to even make contact with the ball. At the end of the 20th over, Bangladesh posted only 108 runs for the loss of 7 wickets which was never a good score considering the pitch today.

Shanto was the highest scorer for Bangladesh with 40 (34). Apart from he and Afif, no batter could reach the 20 runs mark.

Shaheen Afridi, as expected, spearheaded Bangladesh's batting lineup picking up 2 wickets conceding only 15 runs from his quota of 4 overs. Shadab Khan too bagged 2 wickets while Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took 1 each.  

Fakhar Zaman was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning knock. 

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