Pakistan aim to avoid whitewash in final T20I against Bangladesh

LAHORE (Web Desk) – Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the third and final T20 International in Dhaka tomorrow (Thursday), with the match set to begin at 5 PM local time.

Having already conceded the series 2-0, the visitors will be keen to avoid a clean sweep and return home with a consolation victory.

The series has not gone according to plan for Pakistan, who came into the tour with high hopes after a convincing win over the same opponents at home just six weeks ago. However, unfamiliar conditions, disciplined Bangladesh bowling, and an unsettled batting order have all contributed to a disappointing campaign for the men in green.

With the series outcome already decided, Pakistan are expected to shuffle their line-up. Sahibzada Farhan and Sufiyan Muqeem, who have yet to feature in the series, are strong contenders for inclusion. The team’s bowling unit has lacked penetration, and the absence of experienced names has exposed Pakistan’s over-reliance on part-timers to stem opposition momentum.

In the second T20I, Faheem Ashraf’s spirited lower-order resistance saved Pakistan from a heavier defeat, but once again, the top order crumbled under early pressure. Captain Agha Salman struggled to rotate strike, managing just 9 runs from 23 deliveries. Hasan Nawaz, whose explosive batting once made him a wildcard selection, has been dismissed for zero in both outings this series.

Pakistan lose T20I series to Bangladesh with 8-run defeat in second match

Tough conditions, mixed form

The Mirpur pitch has received criticism from multiple quarters, including former coaches and players, for its slow, unpredictable nature. Yet Bangladesh have adapted impressively – exploiting the surface’s characteristics through bowlers like Mustafizur Rahman, who has taken three wickets in the series while maintaining an economy rate of under five.

Pakistan’s last five T20I results now read: L, L, W, W, W – a pattern that reflects inconsistency more than a crisis. However, with a busy calendar ahead, including several T20Is leading up to major tournaments, this match offers a chance to assess bench strength under pressure.

Focus on execution

Pakistan’s management has stressed intent over results in recent months. However, Tuesday’s performance raised concerns about whether that intent can be sustained when the match situation tightens. The required run rate soared during the chase despite a relatively modest target, with Pakistan falling short even after scoring 78 runs off the final 45 balls.

Whether the team can bounce back in the final fixture remains to be seen. A win won’t change the series result, but it may help restore confidence – and avoid what would be only Bangladesh’s third-ever 3-0 T20I whitewash against a Full Member side.