Pakistan Seal 7-Wicket Win and Series Sweep in Lahore against Bangladesh

On June 1, 2025, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore erupted in celebration as Pakistan clinched a commanding 7-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the 3rd T20I of the Bangladesh Tour of Pakistan 2025. Chasing a challenging 197, Pakistan, powered by Mohammad Haris’s maiden T20I century, completed the chase in 17.2 overs, securing a 3-0 series whitewash. The night match, played under the lights before a passionate crowd of over 29,000, showcased Pakistan’s aggressive batting evolution and Bangladesh’s resilience, despite their struggles. This thrilling encounter, the final chapter of a three-match series, cemented Pakistan’s dominance and boosted their confidence ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Road to the 3rd T20I

Bangladesh

Bangladesh, led by new T20I captain Litton Das, arrived in Pakistan on May 21, 2025, for a tour initially planned with three ODIs and three T20Is under the Future Tours Programme. With the 2026 T20 World Cup looming, both boards agreed to replace the ODIs with additional T20Is, later trimmed to three matches. Despite a tough tour of the UAE earlier, Bangladesh showed batting promise, with openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon delivering. However, losses in the 1st T20I (by 37 runs, chasing 202) and 2nd T20I (by 57 runs, chasing 201) exposed weaknesses in bowling and fielding. Injuries to Soumya Sarkar (back) and Mustafizur Rahman (thumb) forced replacements with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Khaled Ahmed, testing their depth.

Pakistan

Pakistan, under captain Salman Ali Agha, entered the series with momentum from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and a new era under coach Mike Hesson. Ranked 8th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings (228 rating), they outclassed Bangladesh (9th, 225 rating) in the first two games. The 1st T20I saw Hasan Ali’s maiden T20I five-wicket haul (5-30) and Salman’s 56, while Sahibzada Farhan (74) and Abrar Ahmed (3-19) starred in the 2nd. Despite a side strain to Mohammad Wasim Jr., replaced by Abbas Afridi, Pakistan’s aggressive batting and varied bowling shone. The 3rd T20I offered a chance to test their chasing skills and complete a clean sweep.

The Build-Up

The Gaddafi Stadium, a fortress for Pakistan, hosted all three T20Is, with the 3rd T20I kicking off at 8:00 PM local time on June 1, 2025. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, a bold move to challenge their batting in a chase, departing from their 200-plus defenses in the prior matches. Hot and dry conditions prevailed, with a fresh pitch expected to favor batters. The last three games at the venue— the PSL final and the first two T20Is—saw teams batting first score exactly 201, hinting at a high-scoring thriller. Bangladesh, without Shoriful Islam (groin injury), leaned on Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Hasan Mahmud, while Pakistan considered Naseem Shah but stuck with a near-unchanged XI.

Pitch and Conditions

The Lahore pitch, known for consistent bounce and carry, suited big hitters, with short square boundaries (61m and 67m) and a 73m straight boundary. Hot, dry weather and minimal dew favored both sides, but bowlers needed precision, mixing pace and slower balls to counter the batting-friendly surface. The 29,000-plus crowd, buzzing after the PSL, added electric energy to the night game.

The Match

Bangladesh Innings: 196/6 in 20 Overs

Bangladesh started explosively, with openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon attacking Pakistan’s bowlers. Saim Ayub, opening the bowling as a part-timer, conceded two sixes and a four to Emon in his second over. Tanzid joined in, surviving a drop by Faheem Ashraf at mid-on on 6, then smashing two fours off Faheem. The pair raced to a productive powerplay, scoring 48 for 0 in 5 overs. Emon brought up the 100-run stand with his fourth six off Faheem in the 11th over, followed by a blazing cover drive. Faheem struck back, dismissing Tanzid (42 off 32, 3×4, 3×6), caught at short fine leg.

Emon fell two balls later, top-edging Shadab Khan’s googly for 66 off 37 (4×4, 4×6), ending a 110-run opening stand in 64 balls. Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das tried to rebuild, adding 49 in 33 balls, with a six each early on. Litton (run-a-ball) fell to Hasan Ali, attempting a ramp shot, while Shamim Hossain started with two fours. Pakistan tightened up, conceding just 46 runs in the last 5 overs. Abbas Afridi’s clever second spell, mixing pace and lengths, yielded 2 for 26, matched by Hasan Ali. Bangladesh finished at 196 for 6, their highest total of the series, thanks to Emon’s 66 and Tanzid’s 42.

Pakistan Innings: 197/3 in 17.2 Overs

Chasing 197, Pakistan lost Sahibzada Farhan early, dismissed in the powerplay. Mohammad Haris, at No. 3, and Saim Ayub shifted gears, forging a 92-run stand off 53 balls. Haris contributed 53, striking five fours and two sixes, while Ayub added 45 off 29 (2×4, 4×6). Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke through, dismissing Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz (26 off 15, 2×4, 2×6) kept the momentum, before falling to Mehidy in the 13th over. With 60 needed off 42 balls, Haris and captain Salman Ali Agha accelerated, gleaning 38 runs in three overs with a flurry of boundaries.

Haris, unbeaten on 94 off 42 at the 16th over’s end, reached his maiden T20I century off 45 balls with a quick two, celebrating with a wide smile and a seventh six off Khaled Ahmed. He finished 107 not out off 46 (8×4, 7×6), the first non-opener from Pakistan to score a T20I ton, with no dot balls from the ninth over onward. Salman (15 not out off 12, 2×4) struck the winning runs in the 17.2nd over, sealing 197 for 3 and a 7-wicket win with 16 balls to spare. Mehidy took 2 for 26, but Bangladesh’s bowlers and fielding faltered under Haris’s onslaught.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Explosive Opening Stand: Tanzid and Emon’s 110-run partnership in 64 balls gave Bangladesh a strong start.
• Faheem’s Breakthrough: Tanzid’s dismissal in the 11th over slowed Bangladesh’s charge.
• Haris-Ayub Partnership: A 92-run stand in 53 balls set Pakistan’s chase alight.
• Haris’s Century: Mohammad Haris’s 45-ball 100, with seven sixes, turned the game decisively.
• Late Control: Pakistan’s bowlers held Bangladesh to 46 runs in the final 5 overs, keeping 197 chaseable.
• Final Over Heroics: Haris’s sixth six and Salman’s winning runs in the 17th over sealed the sweep.

As Salman Ali Agha struck the winning runs, the Gaddafi Stadium roared, with Mohammad Haris, Player of the Match and Series, beaming alongside his captain. Fireworks lit the sky as Pakistan celebrated a 3-0 sweep. Haris, elated, said, “Kept working on my game, learned from PSL mistakes, and tried to keep it simple tonight. I’m happy with two good catches and my batting.” Litton Das, Bangladesh’s captain, conceded, “We didn’t bowl or field well the last two games, but Emon and Tanzid batted brilliantly. We need to learn to bowl to different batters.” Salman Agha noted Pakistan’s consistent approach across series, crediting Haris’s maturity and the team’s modern T20 style.

Key Performers

• Mohammad Haris (PAK): Unbeaten 107 off 46 (8×4, 7×6), maiden T20I ton, plus 2 catches; Player of the Match and Series (179 runs).
• Saim Ayub (PAK): 45 off 29 (2×4, 4×6), crucial in the 92-run stand with Haris.
• Salman Ali Agha (PAK): 15 not out off 12, finished the game; led the 3-0 sweep as captain.
• Parvez Hossain Emon (BAN): 66 off 37, top-scored with 4×4, 4×6, set a strong platform.
• Tanzid Hasan (BAN): 42 off 32 (3×4, 3×6), part of the 110-run opening stand.
• Abbas Afridi (PAK): 2 for 26, mixed pace effectively to curb Bangladesh late.

Pakistan’s 197 for 3 was their fifth-highest successful T20I chase, completed with 16 balls to spare, a testament to their evolving aggression. Haris’s 45-ball century, the second-fastest for Pakistan behind Hasan Nawaz’s 44-ball ton, marked him as the first non-opener to score a T20I 100 for his nation. The 3-0 sweep improved Pakistan’s head-to-head record to 18-3 against Bangladesh in 21 T20Is, with all four prior clashes at Gaddafi Stadium won by the hosts. Bangladesh’s 196 for 6, their best of the series, couldn’t halt Pakistan, who joined a rare club with consecutive 200-plus scores batting first earlier in the series.

The 7-wicket win on June 1, 2025, capped Pakistan’s dominant series, boosting confidence in their modern T20 approach—aggression from the outset, no anchoring, and versatile bowling. Mohammad Haris emerged as a star, blending big hitting with wicketkeeping skill, vital for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, despite Emon and Tanzid’s promise, left Lahore with lessons in bowling and fielding, their T20I woes (four straight losses) exposed. The series, shortened amid a heatwave and post-PSL fatigue, still drew fans, with slashed ticket prices packing the stands.

The 3rd T20I on June 1, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium saw Pakistan storm to a 7-wicket victory over Bangladesh, chasing 197 with 16 balls to spare to complete a 3-0 sweep. Mohammad Haris’s unbeaten 107 off 46, a maiden T20I century, powered Pakistan past a strong 196 for 6, built by Emon (66) and Tanzid (42). Clinical bowling from Abbas Afridi and Hasan Ali, paired with RCB’s ruthless chase, defined a night of dominance. This thriller, blending power, skill, and drama, marked Pakistan’s rise as a modern T20 force, while Bangladesh head home to regroup for future battles.