By Anas Ahmed 
Pakistan salvaged pride with a commanding 74-run victory over Bangladesh in the final T20I of the series, played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. After two underwhelming performances, this was a statement win by the visitors—both with the bat and ball.
Sahibzada Farhan led the way with an aggressive 63 off just 41 balls, setting the tone for Pakistan’s highest T20 total at the venue since 2021. His dynamic strokeplay included five towering sixes and six crisp boundaries. Alongside Saim Ayub, he stitched an 82-run opening stand, laying a solid platform for the middle order.
Despite a few hiccups in the middle overs, Hasan Nawaz (33 off 17) and Mohammad Nawaz (27 off 16) finished the innings strongly, helping Pakistan reach an imposing 178 for 7. The late charge featured sixes all around the ground, including back-to-back big hits by Mohammad Nawaz off Mohammad Saifuddin.
However, it was Salman Mirza who truly stole the show. Making a name for himself on the international stage, the young left-arm pacer decimated Bangladesh’s top order with figures of 3 for 19. He bowled with pace, precision, and movement, slicing through the top five in tandem with Faheem Ashraf, who also chipped in with two key wickets.
Bangladesh never looked in the chase, crumbling to 34 for 6 in just the sixth over. Only Mohammad Saifuddin offered any resistance, scoring a gritty 35*, including a couple of defiant sixes. But the damage had already been done.
Wickets kept tumbling as Pakistan’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Talat, Abbas Afridi, and Ahmed Daniyal all contributed to ensure Bangladesh were dismissed for just 104.
The win offers a glimpse of Pakistan’s depth and potential ahead of future T20 challenges. With Farhan’s return to form and Mirza’s emergence as a new pace threat, the team will take positives from this comprehensive win.
Zainab Shafiq