PAK vs BAN, 2nd T20I: The wait is finally over! After three long years, Pakistan have clinched a T20I series on home soil, and they did it in resounding fashion.

In front of a raucous Gaddafi Stadium crowd, the Men in Green outclassed Bangladesh by 57 runs in the second T20I to wrap up the three-match series with a game to spare.

Led by a majestic 74 off 41 balls from Sahibzada Farhan and a clinical spell of spin wizardry from Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan outplayed the visitors in every department. With the bat, they posted a daunting 201 for 6, and then their bowlers, sparked by Abrar's three-wicket burst, strangled Bangladesh's chase to bowl them out for 144.

This win not only gave Pakistan a 2-0 lead in the series but also marked a much-needed return to dominance in front of home fans-something they hadn't tasted since 2021.

Score Summary:

Pakistan: 201/6 (Farhan 74, Nawaz 51*, Tanzim 2-36)

Bangladesh: 144 all out (Tanzim 50, Tanzid 33, Abrar 3-19)

Result: Pakistan won by 57 runs

Player of the Match: Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

Stat Highlights:

• Sahibzada Farhan - 74 off 41 (Player of the Match)
• Hasan Nawaz - 51* off 26
• Abrar Ahmed - 4-0-19-3
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib - 50 off 31 (maiden T20I fifty, No. 9)
• Pakistan's first T20I series win at home since 2022

Farhan dazzles on home turf

It was Sahibzada Farhan who stole the spotlight early, continuing his dream run from the PSL into international cricket. Riding his luck early on, Farhan took full advantage of a dropped catch in the first over and went on to hammer six sixes and four boundaries in a dazzling knock. His explosive 103-run stand with Mohammad Haris (41 off 25) set the tone for Pakistan's innings.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud bore the brunt of Farhan and Haris' aggression, with Pakistan equalling their highest powerplay score (67) against Bangladesh since 2007. Farhan, unfazed by the early hiccup, played shots all around the park, notably launching Rishad Hossain for two massive sixes over cow corner.

Though Tanzim Hasan Sakib eventually broke the stand with the wicket of Haris, followed by Farhan's dismissal by Rishad, the damage was already done. Hasan Nawaz then picked up the baton, smashing an unbeaten 51 off just 26 balls, anchoring the final phase of Pakistan's innings with timely boundaries.

Captain Salman Agha and Nawaz added quick runs in the middle, but Bangladesh fought back well in the final overs, conceding just 35 runs in the last five. Tanzim finished with 2 for 36, a rare bright spot for the visitors, and ensured Pakistan didn't run away to 220-plus.

Bangladesh's early promise undone by Abrar's magic

Chasing 202, Bangladesh began with a bang. Tanzid Hasan came out all guns blazing, slamming 17 runs off the opening over from Salman. He and Parvez Hossain Emon took Bangladesh to 44 for no loss by the fourth over, making Pakistan's bowlers sweat.

However, that brief threat soon turned into turmoil. Haris Rauf removed Parvez with a well-judged catch by Hasan Ali, and Faheem Ashraf dismissed the dangerous Tanzid, who skied one to Abrar Ahmed. Then came a bizarre moment when skipper Litton Das had a heated exchange with Towhid Hridoy over a single, only to lose his own wicket the very next ball.

With Bangladesh reeling at 56 for 3, enter Abrar Ahmed-Pakistan's mystery spinner. What followed was a breathtaking spell of guile and precision. He trapped Towhid Hridoy lbw with a sharp-turning delivery and then foxed Jaker Ali first ball with a classic googly. Two wickets in two balls, and Bangladesh's middle order was in tatters.

In his next over, Abrar induced a mis-hit from Shamim Hossain, who holed out at deep midwicket. Shadab Khan joined the act with the wicket of Rishad Hossain, while Khushdil Shah and Saim Ayub chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, ensuring Bangladesh had no room for recovery.

Tanzim's heroic fifty in vain

Amid the wreckage, Tanzim Hasan Sakib emerged as an unlikely hero. Coming in at No. 9 with his side tottering at 77 for 7, Tanzim played with a freedom the top order lacked. He smashed five towering sixes en route to a spirited 50 off 31 balls-the first-ever T20I fifty from No. 9 or lower for a Full Member nation.

Tanzim's effort might have come in a losing cause, but it prevented an embarrassing capitulation and gave Bangladesh a faint glimmer of resistance. However, once he fell in the 19th over, caught behind off Saim Ayub, the end was inevitable.

Series Update:

With this win, Pakistan have sealed the series 2-0, heading into the final T20I with confidence and momentum. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be left ruing their collapse after a promising start. All eyes now shift to the final game in Lahore as the hosts look for a whitewash.