Bangladesh etched their name into the history books on Tuesday by securing a remarkable six-wicket victory in the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, thereby clinching their first-ever Test series win over the Green Shirts. The visitors’ triumph not only marked a historic achievement but also extended Pakistan’s losing streak in Test cricket to five consecutive matches.
Resuming their innings at 42-0 on the fifth and final day, Bangladesh needed to chase down a modest target of 185 runs to seal the series. Despite the pressure of the occasion, the visitors displayed nerves of steel as openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam laid a solid foundation. Hasan contributed a steady 40 runs, while Islam added 24, ensuring that Bangladesh had a strong platform to build upon.
Even as Pakistan’s bowlers, Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad, managed to claim the wickets of Hasan and Islam respectively, Bangladesh remained unshaken. The experience of skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque then came to the fore, as they put together a crucial partnership to keep the chase on track. Shanto scored a composed 38, while Haque contributed 34 before both fell to Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed.
However, it was the cool heads of veteran Mushfiqur Rahim and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan that guided Bangladesh to victory, with both remaining unbeaten on 22 and 21 respectively. Their calm finish ensured that the visitors reached the target in just 56 overs, sparking celebrations as Bangladesh secured a 2-0 series whitewash.
This victory not only symbolized Bangladesh’s growing prowess in Test cricket but also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing struggles. The defeat in Rawalpindi marked Pakistan’s fifth consecutive loss in the ongoing World Test Championship, following three earlier defeats at the hands of Australia. Pakistan’s poor run of form has raised concerns about the team’s consistency and ability to compete at the highest level.
The match’s final day was set up by Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling performance in Pakistan’s second innings. On the previous day, pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup, taking five and four wickets respectively. Pakistan, starting their second innings at 9/2, struggled to build any significant momentum. While Saim Ayub and captain Shan Masood tried to stabilize the innings with a 38-run partnership, their efforts were in vain.
Ayub was the first to fall, scoring 20 runs before being dismissed by Taskin Ahmed. Masood’s 43-run knock offered some resistance, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha tried to add some late runs, with Salman remaining unbeaten on 47, but Pakistan could only muster a total of 172. Hasan Mahmud’s exceptional performance, which included his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, was pivotal in Pakistan’s collapse, making him the first Bangladeshi pacer to achieve this feat in an innings in Pakistan.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh had shown remarkable resilience after being reduced to 26-6 in their first innings. Faced with the prospect of following on, Litton Das produced a gritty century, scoring 138, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 78 runs to guide Bangladesh to a respectable total of 262. Khurram Shahzad was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking six wickets, but it was not enough to prevent Bangladesh from mounting a strong comeback.
The series victory is a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket, signaling their ability to compete and succeed on the international stage, even in challenging conditions. For Pakistan, the series defeat will prompt introspection and potentially lead to changes as they look to regain their footing in Test cricket. As Bangladesh celebrates their historic achievement, the cricketing world is left to acknowledge their rise and the potential for further success in the future.
