DHAKA: Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman struck an unbeaten half-century as his side made light work of beating Bangladesh by eight wickets in their second Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Saturday, taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Fakhar hit 57 off 51 balls and put on 85 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (39) for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan to 109-2 in 18.1 overs.
Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan earlier claimed two wickets each to help the visitors restrict struggling Bangladesh to 108-7 after the home side opted to bat first.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam fell for just one in the third over, dragging a Mustafizur Rahman delivery onto his stumps.
But Fakhar -- who smashed two fours and three sixes but was dropped by Saif Hassan on 26 -- and Rizwan denied Bangladesh further momentum with their calm approach.
Aminul finally dismissed Rizwan as Saif took the catch at extra cover, but it came too late as Fakhar soon sealed the contest and the series with a single through cover off part-timer Saif.
"The series win is a team effort," said Babar. "The boys responded well as a unit and we carried forward the momentum" from the World Cup.
Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad rued their batting towards the end of their innings.
"I and Shanto (Najmul) were trying to get a partnership but we couldn't capitalize in the end overs. For a team like us, we need a set batter to be there at the end but it didn't happen today," he said.
Pakistan dominated the match right from the start after dismissing both Bangladeshi openers in the first two overs.
Shaheen Afridi went for a golden duck to Saif, and Mohammad Naim fell to Mohammad Wasim for two edging to Fakhar at slip, as Bangladesh were reduced to 5-2.
Afif Hossain and Najmul Hossain offered some resistance, adding 46 runs for the third wicket before Shadab dismissed both to put Pakistan back in control.
For the hosts, Najmul Hossain top-scored with 40 off 34 balls while Afif Hossain chipped in with 20 runs from 21 balls.
Playing his first match of the series, Shaheen finished with 2-15 and Shadab grabbed 2-22 as Bangladesh struggled against Pakistan's quality pace and spin bowling.
Pakistan won the first match of the series by four wickets on Friday.
The third and final match of the series will be held on the same ground on Monday.
Fakhar leads Pakistan to series win over Bangladesh
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Fakhar leads Pakistan to series win over Bangladesh
- Fakhar hit 57 off 51 balls and put on 85 runs with Mohammad Rizwan for the second wicket, guiding Pakistan to 109-2 in 18.1 overs
- Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan earlier claimed two wickets each to help their team restrict struggling Bangladesh to 108-7
Pakistan stock market crosses record 174,000 points during intraday trading
- Pakistan Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad says stock market’s equity investor base has increased by over 120,000 in last 18 months
- Official says stock market’s record levels reflect growing investor confidence supported by continued macro stability and key reforms
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) crossed a record 174,000 points on Monday, Finance Adviser Khurram Schehzad said, marking a strong start to the business week.
According to the data available on the PSX’s official website, the KSE-100 benchmark reported 174,411.72 points during the intraday trading on Monday morning.
“Another milestone for Pakistan’s equity market,” Schehzad wrote on social media platform X. “The KSE-100 Index has crossed 174,400 points, marking yet another record high.”
Pointing out the stock market’s achievements this year, Schehzad said the PSX has delivered 50 percent plus returns in US dollar terms to investors since January this year, “making it one of the best markets in Asia.”
He noted that investors’ participation in the PSX is rising fast, adding that the equity investor base has increased by over 120,000 to cross the 450,000 figure in the last 18 months, marking a 37 percent increase.
“These record levels reflect growing investor confidence, supported by continued macro stability, key reforms, and improving prospects for more sustainable, higher future growth,” he said.
Pakistan’s stocks have surged in recent years, marking a strong performance this year as Islamabad moves to consolidate its financial recovery after years of economic turbulence, which saw it on the verge of a sovereign default in June 2023.
Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have surged past the $21 billion mark, as per the central bank’s latest data.
In recent years, the South Asian country has also implemented tough structural reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs, aimed at reducing fiscal deficits and restoring investor confidence.
