Tigers play out 58 dots in a game of 120 balls

Despite having wickets in hand, Bangladesh failed to accelerate at the death as the Tigers were restricted to 124 for seven in their third and final T20I against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

In a game of 120 balls, Bangladesh played a total of 58 dots -- a feat that contributed heavily to the Tigers' below-par collection on a relatively sporting Mirpur wicket. Bangladesh batters were able to score 35 runs in the last five overs while losing four wickets during this period. 

Opener Mohammad Naim top-scored for the side but his 47 off 50 deliveries lacked the firepower needed in a T20 game, especially from a top-order batter who batted till the 19th over.

Having dropped Saif Hasan following his dismal showing in the first two games, Bangladesh went with a new opening pair for the game. But the opening pair of Najmul Hossain Shanto and Naim failed as the former lost his stumps to a pacey delivery of Pakistan debutant Shahnawaz Dahani in the second over.

Youngsters Shamim Hossain and Afif Hossain contributed in the middle as they scored 22 and 20 respectively. The likes of Afif, Shamim and Naim smashed a few boundaries as well but were still unable to ratchet up the scoring rate as they failed to rotate strike on a regular basis. 

For Pakistan, pacer Mohammad Wasim and leg-spinner Usman Qadir scalped two wickets each.    

Naim, Afif consolidate

Opener Mohammad Naim and Afif Hossain consolidated with a crucial partnership after Bangladesh got off to a humble start in their third T20I against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

Going down on one knee, Afif struck leg spinner Usman Qadir for two sixes over midwicket in the 12th over, ratcheting up the Tigers' scoring rate following a very steady start. Before that, Naim also charged the leggie in his previous over as he put two wayward deliveries for a maximum and a four. 

After 13 overs, the partnership between Naim and Afif now stands at 37 off 34 deliveries.

A new opening pair but the same old story

Bangladesh got off to a meek start as yet another opening pair failed in the Tigers' third and final T20I against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. 

After a dismal T20I World Cup, Bangladesh dropped opener Liton Das and top-order batter Soumya Sarkar from the squad for the series against Pakistan. Saif Hasan, who is usually considered for opening in Tests for his steady nature of batting, was called up and included in the playing eleven in the first two T20Is to open alongside Mohammad Naim. 

But following Saif's below-par performances in the first two matches, the Bangladesh team management opted to make another change in the opening position -- this time promoting Najmul Hossain Shanto from number three to open the innings with Naim. 

However, Shanto, who had scored a team-high of 40 while batting at number three in the previous game, failed to cope with the change and saw his stumps shattered as he was beaten by a pacey Shahnawaz Dhalani delivery in the second over. Shanto departed after a run-a-ball five as Bangladesh's opening problem still continues.

However, Bangladesh somewhat recovered after Shanto's departure as Shamim Hossain, who was promoted to number three in the batting line-up, played some exquisite shots to help Bangladesh score 33 for 1 in the Powerplay.