Bangladesh achieved a momentous milestone in their cricketing history by securing their maiden Test victory over Pakistan, defeating them by 10 wickets on Day 5 of the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, August 25. Pakistan, trailing Bangladesh by 94 runs in the first innings, began the day at 23/1 but were dismantled by Bangladesh’s spin duo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4/21) and Shakib Al Hasan (3/44), who combined to take seven wickets, reducing Pakistan to 146 all out.
Pak vs Ban: Chasing a Modest Target
Needing just 30 runs to win in the fourth innings, Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadnam Islam comfortably guided their team to victory without losing a wicket, sealing a historic Test win for Bangladesh after 15 matches against Pakistan.
Early Collapse for Pakistan
Bangladesh’s momentum started in the second over of the day when Hasan Mahmud dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood for 14, caught by Litton Das behind the stumps. Pakistan’s hopes rested on Babar Azam, who came in at number four. Though he survived an early drop, he couldn’t capitalize, falling for 22 to Nahid Rana after getting an inside edge onto his stumps, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 66/3.
Shakib and Mehidy Tighten the Grip
First-innings centurion Saud Shakeel was stumped for a four-ball duck by Shakib Al Hasan, putting Pakistan in deeper trouble at 67/4. Despite a brief resistance from Abdullah Shafique (37) and Mohammad Rizwan (171* in the first innings), their partnership of 37 runs was broken when Shafique mistimed a shot off Shakib and was caught at backward point. Rizwan’s valiant effort from the first innings could not prevent Pakistan’s collapse as they fell short, leading to a swift chase by Bangladesh.
Key Contributions from Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s commanding first-innings total of 565, powered by Mushfiqur Rahim’s brilliant 191 and Mehidy Hasan’s crucial 77, had set the stage for their historic win. Despite centuries from Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (171*) and Saud Shakeel (141) in their first innings, Bangladesh’s bowlers sealed the deal with a dominant second-innings performance.
