Lahore: Pakistan rode on brilliant hundreds by openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal to outlast Bangladesh by 23 runs and win the third day-night international at the Gaddafi Stadium here.

Butt hit a career-best 137-ball 132 while Akmal scored 81-ball 100 that laid the foundation for Pakistan's 308-8 in 50 overs before the tourists gave the home team a scare by reaching 285-7 in 50 overs last night.

The victory gave Pakistan an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

"It was a hard fought win. We got a good start but credit to Bangladesh for restricting us by bowling well. They also batted well to give us a run for our money but I am happy that we won in the end," said captain Shoaib Malik.

Shakib Al Hasan raised Bangladesh's hopes with a pugnacious 73-ball 75. But once he fell, it was curtains for the visitors with 59 runs required off the last four overs.

Bangladesh earlier threatened to upset when opener Tamim Iqbal (63) and Aftab Ahmed (42) cut loose during a 81-ball 90-run partnership for the second wicket after Bangladesh lost opener Shahriar Nafees without scoring.

Iqbal's entertaining innings came to an end with a brilliant piece of fielding by Fawad Alam from deep point.

Alam was again at his best when he ran out Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful (16) from covers. In between the fielding brilliance, Ahmed was caught behind off Malik.

Hasan and Mahmudullah Riad (24) added 59 for the fifth wicket as Bangladesh needed 103 off the last ten overs. Afridi (2-48) removed Ferhad Reza (13) and Hasan to finally end the tourists resistance.

It was Bangladesh's highest total against Pakistan, eclipsing the 244-7 they made in Karachi in 2003.

Earlier Butt and Akmal put the tourists attack to the sword.

Butt followed his 76 in Pakistan's seven-wicket win in the second match at Faisalabad on Friday with his fifth one-day hundred, sharing a 151-run partnership with Akmal for the first wicket after Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat.

Butt and Akmal were in a punishing mood from the start as they shared an opening stand of 151 by he 24th over, hitting he bowlers to all corners of the park.

Akmal, who suvived a confident leg-bfore appeal against paceman Mashrafe Mortaza when on one, hit pacemen Shahadat Hossain and Rez for three boundaries each to enter the 90s.

Source : PTI