Pakistan opt to bowl in third T20I after sealing 2-0 series lead over Bangladesh

After dominating the first two matches with standout performances from Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan enters the third T20I in Lahore confident, having already secured the series. The team’s strategic decision to bowl first reflects their strong position and momentum under new coach Mike Hesson’s guidance.

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Pakistan sealed a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh with a commanding 57-run victory in the second game at Lahore.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan notched his maiden half-century, scoring 74 off 41 balls, while Hasan Nawaz contributed a brisk 51 from 26 deliveries to help Pakistan post a formidable 201-6.

Spinner Abrar Ahmed’s 3-19 bowling figures restricted Bangladesh to 144-9 in 19 overs, continuing Pakistan’s dominance after their 37-run win in the series opener.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha, after winning the toss for the third T20I, chose to bowl first, stating, “We want to bowl first today. Seems like a good wicket. Want to bowl first and get them under par score, and then chase it.”

Bangladesh skipper Litton Das acknowledged the challenge, emphasizing the need to build partnerships in the middle overs to capitalize later.

The series win has energized Pakistan’s squad under new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, appointed earlier this month to reverse a poor run where Pakistan had won only three of their last 13 T20 matches.

Hasan Ali, who took a five-wicket haul in the first match, praised the team’s response to Hesson’s modern cricket approach, highlighting their aggressive batting tempo despite early wickets.

For the third T20I, Pakistan rested Haris Rauf and handed a debut to Bangladesh’s Khaled Ahmed, with the final match also scheduled in Lahore.

Key stats:
- Sahibzada Farhan: 74 runs off 41 balls
- Hasan Nawaz: 51 runs off 26 balls
- Abrar Ahmed: 3 wickets for 19 runs
- Pakistan’s first match win margin: 37 runs
- Series lead: 2-0

Pakistan’s strategic decision to bowl first in the final match reflects their confidence and intent to maintain pressure on Bangladesh and close out the series emphatically.

Pakistan opt to bowl in 3rd T20I after 2-0 series lead

We want to bowl first today. Seems like a good wicket. Want to bowl first and get them under par score, and then chase it.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha

Looks a good wicket to bat on. Although we batted last two games, the partnerships were just not there. We have to build partnerships in the middle overs. If we can do that, we can cash in later.

Bangladesh skipper Litton Das

Key Facts

Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and opted to bowl first in the third T20I in Lahore, with Pakistan already having secured the series 2-0.
Pakistan rested Haris Rauf for the third T20I, while Bangladesh handed debut to Khaled Ahmed ahead of the match in Lahore.
Sahibzada Farhan scored his maiden half-century with a 41-ball 74, and spinner Abrar Ahmed took three wickets to help Pakistan secure a convincing 57-run win in the second T20I.

Key Stats at a Glance

Sahibzada Farhan's maiden half-century score

50 runs

Abrar Ahmed's wickets in the match

3 wickets

Pakistan's winning margin in second T20I

57 runs

Sahibzada Farhan's runs and balls faced

74 runs

Bangladesh innings score

144 runs

Pakistan's series lead

2-0 lead

Pakistan's strong start with Hasan Ali's five-for and new coach Hesson

I am happy and satisfied with my first five-wicket haul in T20Is after long injury layoffs.

Hasan Ali

Pakistan bowler

The team responded to coach Mike Hesson's call and kept up their batting tempo despite losing wickets.

Hasan Ali

Pakistan bowler

Key Facts

Pakistan won the first T20I by 37 runs in Lahore, with Hasan Ali taking a five-wicket haul (5-30) to lead the bowling attack.
Mike Hesson, Pakistan's new white-ball head coach appointed earlier this month, is credited with helping stem a recent slide by the team, which had won just three of their last 13 T20s before this series.

Key Stats at a Glance

Pakistan's winning margin in first T20I

37 runs

Pakistan's T20 wins before series

3 wins

Pakistan's T20 matches before series

13 matches

Hasan Ali's five-wicket haul bowling figures

5 wickets

Pakistan opt to bowl in third T20I after sealing 2-0 series lead over Bangladesh

Pakistan opt to bowl in 3rd T20I after 2-0 series lead

Pakistan's strong start with Hasan Ali's five-for and new coach Hesson

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