Pak vs Ban 3rd ODI Live: Half of Pakistan Side Back in Pavilion as Bangladesh Close in on Series Win

Mirpure, Dhaka - The series decider has spiraled into a nightmare for a new-look Pakistan. Chasing 291 for victory in 3rd ODI, the visitors have been rocked by a relentless Bangladeshi bowling assault, limping to 112/5 after 22 overs. With half the side back in the dugout and the required run rate climbing toward nine an over, the question on every fan's lips is no longer "when," but "if" this inexperienced Pakistan side can survive the onslaught. 

The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium is a cauldron of noise as the Tigers’ pacers extract every bit of spice from the surface. What started as a hopeful chase for the "fresh-faced" Green Shirts quickly turned into a procession. Openers Sahibzada Farhan (6) and Maaz Sadaqat (6) failed to weather the early storm, but the true hammer blow came in the heart of the middle overs. 

The dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan (4) in quick succession has left the run chase in tatters. 

Abdul Samad (34) and Ghazi Ghouri (29) provided some resistance after 17/3 in 5 overs, but failed to go long. 

Bangladesh’s bowlers have been surgical. By hitting a hard length and forcing the Pakistani batsmen into unforced errors, they have dictated the tempo since the first ball. Every time a partnership looked to be brewing, such as the brief resistance from Samad, a lapse in concentration or a bit of brilliance in the field saw another wicket crumble. 

The pressure of the scoreboard, fueled by Tanzid Hasan’s magnificent maiden ODI century (107) earlier in the day, is clearly weighing heavy on a reeling Pakistan lineup. 

Can Pakistan still win it? It would take a miracle of historic proportions. With the specialist batters mostly gone, the burden now falls on Salman Agha and the debutant Saad Masood to play the innings of their lives. They are currently staring down the barrel of a series defeat on foreign soil unless a hero emerges from the tail. 

As it stands, Bangladesh is firmly in the driver’s seat, just five wickets away from a famous series win, while Pakistan is gasping for air in Mirpur.