Sports Desk:

Bangladesh’s dismal run in the shortest format of the game continued when they lost their second T20I against Pakistan by 57 runs and lost the series with one match in hand at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday.

The hosts posted 201-6, similar to their score in their first T20I two days earlier. Bangladesh, however, this time managed 144-9 in 19 overs as Shoriful Islam was unable to bat due to an injury he sustained early in the match.

The win ensured Pakistan’s series victory, having won the first match by 37 runs.

Bangladesh got the early breakthrough as Saim Ayub was run out when he slipped at the crease while attempting a third in the second over.

But Shahibzada Farhan, who replaced injured Fakhar Zaman in the eleven, and Mohammad Haris added 103 runs off 54 balls for the second wicket to lay a strong foundation.

Shoriful’s injury was the early blow for Bangladesh, who wasn’t able to bowl after three deliveries. However, Shamim Hossain—who replaced Shoriful—was the most economical bowler of the night for Bangladesh, having spent 28 runs in 3.3 overs.

Despite seeing the backs of Sahibzada—who made 74 off 41—and Haris (41 off 25), Bangladesh failed to capitalise on that as Hasan Nawaz once again shone with the bat.

He remained unbeaten on 51 off just 26 while adding 45 runs off 24 balls and 24 off 20 with captain Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan, respectively.

Pakistan were able to hit only three boundaries in the last five overs while adding 32 runs but still posted a big total.

Bangladesh made a strong start in their chase thanks to Tanzid Hasan’s 33 off 19. But the left-hander once again fell in his 30s after making a good start before becoming the first batter to go.

Bangladesh lost the first five wickets in just 18 balls to become 56-5 in 6.4 overs. Two of those wickets—Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali—fell in consecutive deliveries off leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed—before captain Liton Das was caught off Hasan Ali.

It was all but over for Bangladesh by then, though Tanzim put up a fight with the help of Mehidy Hasan Miraz after Shamim and Rishad Hossain fell cheaply.

Tanzim brought up his first fifty in limited-overs cricket by scoring 50 off 31. But eventually all that did was shorten the margin of the defeat a bit.

The third and final match of the series will be held on June 1 at the same venue.