Srinagar: It was a dead rubber but turned out as classic one as Pakistan had to fight it hard to register a win against Bangladesh in the last league match of the T20 tri series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday.
It was an unbeaten 20-ball 45 from Mohammad Nawaz that helped Pakistan to cross the line in last over.
Even though Pakistan won the game by seven wickets, the scorecard would flatter to deceive. Half-centuries from Babar Azam (55) and Mohammad Rizwan (69) did set up a base in the chase of 174 with their eighth T20I century stand, however the chase was dragging courtesy some tidy bowling from Bangladesh even if they were not penetrative enough to take wickets. It was courtesy of a blunder played by Nawaz that Pakistan was able to register a win.
Earlier Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das scored identical half centuries to help Bangladesh post a total of 173 for six in the the sixth match of the T20 tri-series in Christchurch.
While Shakib scored 68 off 42 balls, Das notched up 69 off 42 balls. Their 88-run stand withstood the onslaught of the Pakistan bowlers, who took three wickets in the last two overs to prevent Bangladesh from scoring big at the death.
Mohammad Wasim and Naseem Shah picked up two wickets each.
Score:
Pakistan: 177 for 3 (Rizwan 69, Babar 55, Nawaz 45*, Mahmud 2-27) beat Bangladesh 173 for 6 (Litton 69, Shakib 68, Naseem 2-27, Wasim 2-33) by 7 wickets.