Green shirts chased down 125-run target on the last ball of the innings

DHAKA: Pakistan have completed 3-0 T20I series whitewash against Bangladesh as they beat the home side in a last-ball thriller in the third T20I by five wickets at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla International Stadium.

The Men in Green chased down the target for the loss of five wickets after bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 124/5. Both sides will now meet in two-match Test series from November 26.

Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah won the toss and elected to bat first for the third time in the series. The home side had a shaky start once again as they lost Najmul Hossain Shanto in the second over.

Shahnawaz Dahani, who was making his debut for Pakistan, bowled a brilliant yorker to remove Najmul (5). Bangladesh were slow in their approach in the middle overs.

Babar Azam introduced spinners after the powerplay. Usman Qadir had the better of Shamim Hossain (22) in the eighth over while he dismissed Afif Hossain (20) in the 15th over.

Qadir finished with figures of 2/35 while his partner Iftikhar Ahmed conceded 13 in four overs.

Opener Mohammad Naim was the notable batter for Bangladesh, scoring 47 off 50 balls. He hit two fours and as many sixes.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers, bagging figures of 2/15 as the visitors restricted Bangladesh to 124/7.

In return, the Men in Green openers were cautious in their approach. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan only added 28 in the first six overs.

Babar once again couldn’t score big and was dismissed by leg-spinner Aminul Islam. Babar scored 19 off 25 balls.

Bangladesh kept things tight throughout the middle overs and also picked the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 40 off 43 balls.

Emerging batter Haider Ali was set and continued his stroke play. Pakistan looked set to complete the chase but there was a big twist in the last over when they needed eight runs.

Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah bowled the last over where he dismissed Sarfaraz Ahmed (6) and Haider Ali (45) on second and third delivery.

Iftikhar Ahmed walked in the middle and hit a massive six but fell on the next delivery. Pakistan needed two on the final ball and Mohammad Nawaz struck four to complete Pakistan’s five-wicket win.

Haider Ali was awarded Player of the Match for his 38-ball 45 while Mohammad Rizwan was given Player of the Series for scoring 90 runs in three games.