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Soumya Sarkar century inspires Bangladesh to third win over Pakistan

Soumya Sarkar - maiden ODI century
Image: Soumya Sarkar - maiden ODI century

Soumya Sarkar scored a superb century as Bangladesh completed a clean sweep of their ODI series with Pakistan.

Sarkar smacked 127no off 110 balls – his maiden international century - as the hosts won the match by eight wickets with over ten overs to spare in Mirpur, and wrapped up a 3-0 series victory in the process.

Pakistan blew their chance of a consolation victory by collapsing from 203-2 to 250 all out.

Skipper and opener Azhar Ali led by example with a fine 101 – the first Pakistan captain to score an ODI century in five years.

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Having won the toss and elected to bat, Azhar shared an opening stand of 91 with debutant Sami Aslam, who made 45.

Nasir Hossain provided the breakthrough when he had the left-handed Aslam caught by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was bowled by Arafat Sunny for four to extend his batting misery in a series in which he compiled just eight runs in three matches.

Haris Sohail (52) added 98 with Azhar for the third wicket before the wheels came off in spectacular fashion.

Azhar was bowled by Shakib Al-Hasan (2-34) just after he had scored his 111-ball century and Mashrafe dismissed Haris, caught behind, and Bangladesh ripped through the Pakistan order.

Tamim Iqbal (64) and Sarkar gave Bangladesh the perfect platform for the victory chase, putting on 145 at nearly six an over.

Iqbal fell when he was trapped lbw by Junaid Khan, and the fast bowler then bowled Mahmadullah for four.

But Mushfiqur Rahim (49no) and Sarkar - who smashed six sixes, one of which got him from 95 to 101 - got their team home with ease.

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, making his comeback in this series after rebuilding his bowling action, was left out of the match having returned figures of 1-123 in the 19.1 overs he bowled across the two previous matches.

The two teams will play a Twenty20 international on Friday before starting a two-Test series from April 28.

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