World’s No.1 ranked T20 batsman Babar Azam (66), and veteran cricketer Mohammad Hafeez (67) smashed unbeaten half-centuries against Bangladesh in the second game at Gaddafi Stadium to take 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Saturday. This was crucial for both the batsmen as they failed to perform in the first match.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first, but once again, the batsmen disappointed with their performance, and the visitors could only post 136-6 in 20 overs. Opener Tamim Iqbal was the lone warrior who slammed 53-balls 65.
Chasing 137 in home conditions was not going to be a difficult task, and the hosts did precisely the same. Pakistan did lose their first wicket for just six runs in the form of Ahsan Ali (0), but Babar and Hafeez didn’t let the tourist team dominate them further and won the contest by nine wickets.
This is Pakistan's first T20I series victory since October 2018.#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/ydtZP8IDxb
— ICC (@ICC) January 25, 2020
Captain Babar was gratified with the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
For his match winning 66* captain @babarazam258 is the Man of the Match 👏👏👏#PAKvBAN SCORECARD: https://t.co/G52WoSBWd8 pic.twitter.com/05pHUV1Wgg
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 25, 2020
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Strong 50's by @babarazam258 & @MHafeez22 today. Completely dominated Bangladesh.
Nothing like playing at home boys? Haan?#PAKvBAN— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 25, 2020
Good win 4 🇵🇰.
Nicely played 50 for @TamimOfficial28 bt 🇧🇩 were 30 runs short.
credit 2 r our fast bowling @MHasnainPak @iShaheenAfridi & @HarisRauf14 they are quick 🔥🔥🔥Both @babarazam258 & @MHafeez22 have done it quite easily in the end.
1 more to go 🙌 #pakvsban— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) January 25, 2020
Great to see Pak back in T 20 form sealing a series win over bangladesh with a dominant win. Also good to see @MHafeez22 justify his comeback with a powerful knock after @realshoaibmalik did the same yesterday #PAKvBAN
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 25, 2020
Babar Azam bounced back strongly after a failure in the first T20I #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/fiohR7w5cH
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 25, 2020
Mohammad Hafeez still going strong – his team-mate Mohammad Hasnain was 2 years and 363 days old when Hafeez made his international debut #Cricket #PAKvBAN
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) January 25, 2020
Brilliant innings from Babar Azam 66(44) with 7 four's and 1 six against Bangladesh ❤👏#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/Di49Cuq22A
— Hashim (@HashimCricket1) January 25, 2020
That's called Captain knock Bobby led from the front and won first series as a Captain! 😊💚#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/KXMyg4EOCw
— Sherlock MIND 🔥 (@Dreamerdude12) January 25, 2020
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