Lahore, 1 June 2025: Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris became the fifth T20I centurion for Pakistan as he smashed an unbeaten 107 to help Pakistan seal the 197-run target in the third T20I against Bangladesh here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday night.
Pakistan, who completed a 3-0 series sweep over visitors, registered their fifth-highest successful T20I chase as they reached the target with 16 balls to spare. Haris’ 45-ball century is the second fastest for Pakistan in T20Is besides Hasan Nawaz’s 44-ball ton against New Zealand in March earlier this year.
In pursuit of the target Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan early on before Haris and Saim Ayub (45, 29b, 2x4s, 4x6s) partnered for an assertive 92-run stand off 53 balls with the former contributing 53 in it.
The duo struck five fours and two sixes following the first over of Powerplay as Pakistan brought up 56 runs on the board.
In the three overs following the fielding restrictions Haris and Saim ransacked 33 runs before Tanzid Hasan broke the partnership in the 10th over. Haris also brought up his half-century off 25 balls in the same over hitting a six and a four on consecutive balls taking Pakistan to 104-2 at the halfway mark.
No.4 batter Hasan belted two fours and as many sixes in his 15-ball 26 to keep the run-flow intact before falling in the 13th over as Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the 18-ball 37-run third-wicket stand.
With Pakistan requiring 60 runs off the last seven overs, skipper Salman Ali Agha and Haris joined forces to glean 38 runs off the next three overs with a flurry of boundaries.
At the end of the 16th over, Haris, who was unbeaten 94 off 42 balls, had the chance to bag the fastest T20I century record for Pakistan from Hasan but it took him three more balls to complete the feat as he ended up facing total 46 balls for his highest score in international cricket.
Salman (15 not out, 12b, 2x4s) struck the winning runs for Pakistan claiming his second T20I series victory as captain.
Earlier, Bangladesh were helped to their highest total in this T20I series with the help of a brilliant 110-run opening stand between Parvez Hossain Emon – also their top-scorer in the innings with 66, and Tanzid Hasan (42, 32b, 3x4s, 3x6s) off 64 balls.
Parvez struck 66 off 34 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes. Faheem Ashraf drew the first blood for Pakistan in the 11th over removing Tanzid before Shadab struck three balls later to dismiss Parvez.
Bangladesh managed 83 runs off 53 balls following the departure of their opening duo losing four more wickets.
Towhid Hridoy (25, 18b, 2x4s, 1x6) and Litton Das (22, 18b, 1x4, 1x6) came together for a 32-ball 49-run stand before Jaker Ali’s one six and one four along with Tanzim’s one six helped their team sail over the 190-run mark.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi and Hasan Ali picked up two wickets each.
Scores in brief:
3rd T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Bangladesh 196-6, 20 overs (Parvez Hossain Emon 66, Tanzid Hasan 42, Towhid Hridoy 25, Litton Das 22; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-26, Hasan Ali 2-38)
Pakistan 197-3, 17.2 overs (Mohammad Haris 107 not out, Saim Ayub 45, Hasan Nawaz 26, Salman Ali Agha 15 not out; Mehidy Hasan Mirza 2-26)
Player of the match – Mohammad Haris (Pakistan)
Player of the series – Mohammad Haris (179 runs & five dismissals)
Series results (All matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore):
1st T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 37 runs
2nd T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 57 runs
3rd T20I – Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets
