Soumya Sarkar brought up his maiden One-Day International century to help Bangladesh complete a whitewash over Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday (April 22).

Bangladesh, which won the first two ODIs by convincing margins, notched up a resounding eight-wicket win after Pakistan, having opted for first hit, collapsed from a great position to end on a below-par 250. Azhar Ali scored his first ODI century and Haris Sohail chipped in with 52, but after being on 203 for 2, the Pakistani resistance was over.

Everyone’s eyes were on Tamim Iqbal as he stood on the threshold of a rare feat – three consecutive ODI centuries. Tamim batted well, but his hopes of becoming the first Bangladesh batsman and only the seventh in the world to achieve the landmark were dashed when Junaid Khan had him trapped in front of the stumps for 64 in 76 balls.

Tamim may have missed his landmark but he had set things up perfectly for Bangladesh. His 145-run opening partnership hit a nail or two in Pakistan’s coffin before Sarkar, Tamim’s opening partner, took it upon himself to carry Bangladesh through.

Sarkar, the stylish 22-year-old left-hand bat who hadn’t done much in the first two ODIs, took advantage of a bowling line-up that barely threatened despite the likes of Umar Gul and Junaid in the mix. He took his time to get to his half-century but once past that, he made sure he made Pakistan’s wayward bowlers pay. He stroked his way to a century from 94 balls with 11 fours and four sixes before completing the task, finishing on 127 from 110 deliveries.

Mushfiqur Rahim, too, played his part, coming in after Bangladesh lost two quick wickets in Tamim and Mahmudullah, with a 43-ball 49 that guided Bangladesh to victory in 39.3 overs.  

Pakistan will be disappointed not only with the series whitewash but also with the way it lost eight wickets for a mere 47 runs following Azhar’s knock.

The toss was a good one to win and Pakistan enjoyed a 91-run opening partnership between Azhar and Sami Aslam. Azhar, who replaced Misbah-ul-Haq as the ODI captain after the World Cup, had scores of 72 and 36 in the first two ODIs and was in good touch yet again. He brought up his century from 111 balls with the help of ten fours and his association with Haris yielded 98 runs for the third wicket and set the stage for Pakistan.

With Pakistan at 203 for 2 in the 39th over, Bangladesh looked out of it, but its bowlers upped their game at the right moment to put the brakes on the scoring. Mashrafe Mortaza, Rubel Hossain, Arafat Sunny and Shakib Al Hasan came away with two wickets apiece and Pakistan’s game was over.
(ICC)