Pakistan complete clean sweep in Dhaka

Pakistan again defeated Bangladesh in the third and final one-day match, completing a three-nil series win. The tourists won a one-sided match by eight wickets, needed just 35.4 overs to pass Bangladesh's 220.

The afternoon started well for the hosts, as Khaled Masud opted to bat first and Mehrab Hossain and Javed Belim put on 88 for the first wicket. They batted patiently and prudently, before they were separated by Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi. Belim (35), Mehrab (41) and Al-Sahariar (6), all fell in quick succession, reducing Bangladesh from 66 without loss to 99 for three.

Bangladesh fought back as Aminul Islam and the promising Tushar Imran built a 77-run stand between them. Imran, the more aggressive of the two, top-scored with 43 off just 56 balls. Aminul Islam made 31.

After losing their fourth wicket on 176, Bangladesh added just 44 runs from the last 46 deliveries. Abdur Razzak created the mayhem, with a career-best haul of six for 35 to restrict the hosts to 220.

Shahid Afridi then launched a ruthless onslaught from the outset of Pakistan's innings, hitting seven sixes and six fours in a knock of 83 that took only 44 balls. Three of the sixes were off Manjural Islam, with two coming consecutively from a single over.

Afridi hit Enamul relentlessly in his opening over for 28 runs, a record in Dhaka. The first three balls went for sixes, Afridi blocked the fourth one, slammed the fifth for another six and ended the over with a boundary.

Khaled Mahmud finally dismissed Afridi, but only delayed the inevitable. Younis Khan (66) remained until the end, well assisted by Navid Latif and Abdur Razzaq.

Pakistan reached the target in 35.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Afridi was rightly adjudged the man of the match for his extraordinary knock.