Unite for Gaza Series
Pakistan (Rizzyx) vs Bangladesh (Al_Amin) 2nd T20 - Lahore - 03/08/2014
The much anticipated final match of the tour got underway in Lahore with Bangladesh fired up and looking to draw on their win in the first T20.
Pakistan won the toss again making it 3 consecutive tosses won by captain Shahid Afridi, and despite losing whilst chasing in the first T20, Afridi still decided to bowl first again. Bangladesh made a fantastic start thanks to some poor bowling from Muhammad Irfan, who in his first over bowled a front foot no ball which was dispatched by Nafees for four, and then Nafees cashed in on the free hit sending the ball into the stands. Bangladesh were into the twenties before the second over was complete and the tone was set for a big score. With the pacers not being as effective as they were in the previous matches Afridi turned to the spin of Hafeez as well as introducing himself into the attack, they bowled four overs of spin in tandem producing very little threat to the Bangladeshi batsman who were scoring freely against the spin. Afridi perhaps missed a trick with not introducing his key fast bowler Wahab Riaz instead opting for spin from both ends. Wahab eventually was bought into the attack in the 15th over and although he only picked up the one wicket he troubled the batsman and tied them down allowing Junaid Khan to rip through the middle order.
Bangladesh were well set at 103/4 with 5 overs to go. But with pace from both end via Junaid and Wahab Bangladesh crumbled to 126 all out, and it could have been a lot worse with Junaid Khan picking up two wickets only for them to be denied due to his front foot landing over the line. Pakistan will also rue the two drop catches allowing Bangladesh to get to a competitive total.
Pakistan again struggled in the chase, just like the first T20 they were unable to handle the Bangladeshi fast medium bowlers, and once again the top 7 batsman failed to get to double figures. Razzaq and Wahab provided brief resistance but by this time it was all too late. Pakistan were dismissed for only 63 handing Bangladesh a thoroughly comprehensive series victory taking it 2-0.
Bangladesh will fly home to their fans who can take pride that their side came back strongly after the heavy defeats in the Test match and ODI. The Pakistan manager Rizzyx said at the post match ceremony that they would like to give a huge wave of appreciation to the BCB and its players for travelling to Pakistan and show the rest of the world that Cricket can be played in Pakistan. The tour has already opened way for other boards to tour Pakistan with the Srilanka Cricket board agreeing to take part in a short tour just before they begin the Asia Cup.
Scores:
Bang: 126/10 O(19.3 Overs)
Pak: 63/10 (14 Overs)
MOM: M Rahim