Spinners seal series sweep

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Pakistan celebrate with the Cool & Cool Cup after they continued their impressive form with a 3-0 series whitewash over Bangladesh

Pakistan claimed a 3-0 series victory over Bangladesh with a 58-run triumph in the third one-day international at Chittagong.

Chasing 172 to restore some pride after losing the first two ODIs, Bangladesh looked well set at 69 for one but, after a power cut plunged the ground into darkness, the hosts returned to lose their last eight wickets for 50 runs to collapse to 119 all out in 38 overs.

Of Pakistan’s five spinners, only Shahid Afridi failed to get his name in the wicket column as Shoaib Malik claimed 3-6 from four overs and Mohammad Hafeez returned 3-27 from 10.

Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal also snared two scalps each to ensure Pakistan completed the series whitewash.

After winning the toss, Pakistan struggled to come to terms with the slow, spinning surface and slumped to 39 for three.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal steadied the ship with a fourth-wicket partnership of 94.

But when Misbah departed for 47, only Umar made any telling contribution with a patient 57 from 84 balls as Pakistan suffered a similar collapse, losing seven wickets for 44, Mahmudullah wrapping up the innings with three wickets in seven deliveries.

Hafeez went for a duck in the first over, chipping a slower ball from Shafiul Islam into the covers, and Asad Shafiq made just seven before he was bowled through the gate by Shakib Al Hasan.

Younus Khan had made a steady 26 before he edged behind off Abdur Razzak to leave his side in trouble.

Elias Sunny is bowled by Shoaib Malik, who claimed 3-6 in four overs including two maidens, as Bangladesh slip to 119 for nine

Misbah and Umar brought stability to the crease with a 24-over stay, but the captain then played at a wide delivery from Razzak and steered the ball to short extra-cover.

Shoaib lasted just two balls before hitting a return catch to Razzak and Afridi, attempting a typical big hit, perished at deep midwicket off Elias Sunny.

Umar attempted to improve the scoring rate but, after advancing down the wicket, was stumped to give Sunny wickets in successive overs before Mahmudullah took centre stage with 3-4.

The spinner had Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul caught behind before trapping Rehman lbw to give Bangladesh a chance of victory.

Bangladesh’s reply suffered the worst possible start as Hafeez got one to nip away from Tamim Iqbal and clip his off-stump with the first ball of the innings.

Mahmudullah, who made 35, and Shahriar Nafees put on 69 for the second wicket until play was halted for 20 minutes to restore the lights.

Shahriar and Mahmudullah were both dismissed lbw by Ajmal and Hafeez, either side of Rehman pinning Mushfiqur in front, as Bangladesh slipped to 72 for four.

Things got worse when Shakib provided Hafeez with a return catch and Nasir Hossain, who made a century in the last ODI, lobbed up a catch to Misbah at cover off Rehman.

Farhad Reza gave his side some hope with 21, adding 34 with Alok Kapali, until the former was adjudged leg before off Ajmal, the number-one ranked ODI spinner.

Just like Mahmudullah did in the first innings, Malik’s introduction brought three wickets, accounting for Kapali, who could only find Shafiq running in from deep square-leg, and bowling Sunny and Shafiul as Bangladesh fell well short.