PAK vs BAN 3rd T20: Bangladesh Aim Historic Whitewash, Pakistan Fight to Avoid Sweep in Final T20I at Mirpur
Bangladesh stand on the brink of history as they prepare to face Pakistan in the third and final T20I of the three-match series at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka today (Thursday). Having already secured the series 2-0, the hosts now aim for a clean sweep, which would mark their first-ever T20I whitewash against Pakistan. For the visitors, this is a last chance to salvage pride and avoid a demoralizing 3-0 defeat.
The hosts have dominated both matches so far, showcasing tactical maturity and remarkable composure under pressure. Their confident chase in the opening T20I and controlled defense in the second reflected a growing versatility and resilience in Bangladesh’s T20 setup. Importantly, they have rotated players smartly, resting key performers like Tanzid Hasan and Taskin Ahmed without compromising on results — a sign of their improving bench strength.
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Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan’s gritty partnership was pivotal in stabilizing Bangladesh during the second match, while Mustafizur Rahman’s exceptional death bowling remains a decisive factor. His clever variations and off-cutters have consistently troubled Pakistan’s batters on the slow Mirpur pitch, conceding under five runs per over while claiming crucial wickets at key stages.
Pakistan’s batting woes have been stark throughout the series. A shocking collapse to 15/5 in the second T20I exposed their fragile top order, leaving Faheem Ashraf to stage a lone fightback with an aggressive 51 off 32 balls. While contributions from Abbas Afridi and Daniyal Ahmed added brief resistance, Pakistan’s inability to build partnerships proved costly.
Captain Agha Salman’s form has also come under scrutiny following a sluggish nine off 23 balls. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, Pakistan may use this dead rubber to test new combinations, potentially handing opportunities to Sahibzada Farhan and Sufiyan Muqeem. Strengthening batting consistency and finding effective death-bowling options are now critical objectives for the side.
The Mirpur pitch has remained slow and low throughout the series, aiding spinners and bowlers who rely on variations. Bangladesh have exploited these conditions brilliantly, while Pakistan’s pace-heavy attack has struggled to adapt. Monsoon conditions in Dhaka could bring further challenges, with possible rain interruptions impacting strategies and team selections.
For Bangladesh, the focus will be on maintaining their winning momentum and executing plans with discipline. For Pakistan, this match is less about the series outcome and more about regaining confidence, testing new players, and preventing a morale-crushing whitewash.
Head-to-Head Record:
- Total T20Is Played: 20
- Pakistan Wins: 15
- Bangladesh Wins: 5
- Last 5 T20Is: Bangladesh lead 3-2 (including this ongoing series)
Series So Far (Top Performers):
- Top Run-Scorer (BAN): Jaker Ali – 87 runs in 2 matches
- Top Run-Scorer (PAK): Faheem Ashraf – 71 runs in 2 matches
- Best Bowler (BAN): Mustafizur Rahman – 5 wickets, economy 4.8
- Best Bowler (PAK): Salman Mirza – 3 wickets, economy 7.2
Key Milestones to Watch:
- A win for Bangladesh will be their first-ever T20I whitewash over Pakistan.
- Faheem Ashraf needs 29 more runs to complete 100 T20I runs in this calendar year.
- Mustafizur Rahman is 3 wickets away from becoming Bangladesh’s leading T20I wicket-taker against Pakistan.
Probable XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub/Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (capt), Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Ahmed Daniyal, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed/Sufiyan Muqeem
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman/Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed
Match Details:
- 3rd T20I: Pakistan vs Bangladesh
- Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
- Start Time: 5:00 PM (local time)
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