Pakistan clinch series with second Test triumph over Bangladesh

Pakistan wrapped up a sweep of the two-Test series against Bangladesh with a
seven-wicket victory in Mirpur.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq smashed a six off just the second delivery he faced to win the match in the evening session of the fifth day.

It wrapped up a straightforward run chase after the collapse of Bangladesh's second innings after lunch had left Pakistan with a target of 103 to win - a mark they passed inside 21 overs.

Their run chase had got off to a rocky start with Mohammad Hafeez dropped by Mahmudullah off Shakib Al Hasan while on four before Taufeeq Umar was dismissed for three, caught by Nazimuddin at mid-wicket off Nazmul Hossain to leave his side on seven for one.

But Hafeez would make them pay for the drop, eventually falling three runs short of a half-century, caught by Shahadat Hossain off Shakib to leave Pakistan on 70 for two.

Azhar Ali could not quite see the job through either, bowled by Elias Sunny with Pakistan two runs away of their target, but Misbah soon added those and more.

Younus Khan was unbeaten on 16 as the winning runs were scored.

The key passage in the day came after lunch when Bangladesh, having frustrated Pakistan in a fog-shortened morning, lost the last five wickets of their second innings for just 22 runs.

Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim had put on 117 for their sixth-wicket stand, but once it was broken, Bangladesh offered little resistance.

Abdur Rehman made the breakthrough with a straighter delivery that fooled Hossain to strike the stumps, sending him back for 79 with Bangladesh on 212 for six.

Rahim soon followed for 53, another victim of Rehman as he mis-timed a shot straight into the hands of Saeed Ajmal at mid-off, and with those two gone, Pakistan soon finished their hosts off.

Only five runs had been added before Rehman claimed his fourth wicket of the innings courtesy of an outstanding catch from Younus, who leapt high and to his right in the slips to snatch one-handed a wild swing from Shahadat, who went for one.

Sunny added four before falling victim to a doosra from Saeed, who then claimed the final scalp of the innings - and his 50th of 2011 - when Robiul Islam wandered down the track to give Adnan Akmal an easy stumping.

In the morning, Bangladesh had frustrated Pakistan as Hossain and Rahim batted through the session to add 86 runs to their overnight score of 114 for five without further loss.

The victory wraps up a resoundingly successful tour for Pakistan, who also swept the one-day series 3-0 and won the sole Twenty20.

PA