DHAKA: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the second Twenty20 International to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Dhaka on Saturday.
Fakhar Zaman struck an unbeaten 57 off 51 balls as Pakistan reached 109-2 in 18.1 overs after restricting Bangladesh to 108-7 in 20 overs.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam fell for just one in the third over, dragging a Mustafizur Rahman delivery onto his stumps.
Fakhar hit 57 off 51 balls and put on 85 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (39) for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan to 109-2 in 18.1 overs.
Najmul Hossain earlier top-scored with 40 off 34 balls for Bangladesh while Afif Hossain chipped in with 20 runs from 21 balls.
Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi finished with 2-15 for Pakistan while leg-spinner Shadab Khan grabbed 2-22.
“The series win is a team effort,” said Babar. “The boys responded well as a unit and we carried forward the momentum” from the World Cup.
Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad rued their batting towards the end of their innings.
“I and Shanto (Najmul) were trying to get a partnership but we couldn’t capitalise in the end overs. For a team like us, we need a set batter to be there at the end but it didn’t happen today,” he said.
Pakistan dominated the match right from the start after dismissing both Bangladeshi openers in the first two overs.
Shaheen Afridi went for a golden duck to Saif, and Mohammad Naim fell to Mohammad Wasim for two edging to Fakhar at slip, as Bangladesh were reduced to 5-2.
Pakistan won the first match of the series by four wickets on Friday.
The third and final match will be held at the same ground on Monday.
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