Dhaka: Having never secured a Test victory against Pakistan prior to 2024, Bangladesh extended their recent dominance to three consecutive wins on Monday, securing a 104-run triumph in the series opener at Mirpur.
The historic victory, Bangladesh's first against Pakistan on home soil, was finalised during the waning moments of the fifth day.
Pace sensation Nahid Rana, whose stature has ascended throughout the season, spearheaded the attack with figures of 5 for 40. His performance ensured the hosts took a 1-0 lead in a match characterised by dramatic shifts in momentum.
Entering the final session, all three results remained plausible. Pakistan required 152 runs with seven wickets remaining, their hopes resting heavily on debutant Abdullah Fazal. The newcomer displayed remarkable poise in reaching 66, partnering with Salman Ali Agha for a 48-run fourth-wicket stand. Despite a deteriorating pitch and inconsistent bounce, Pakistan maintained a marginal chance of victory or, with failing light as a factor, a defensive draw.
The Final Collapse
The visitors' resistance dissolved just five deliveries into the evening session. Taijul Islam produced a delivery that turned sharply to strike Fazal on the pads. While umpire Richard Kettleborough initially declined the appeal, a subsequent review overturned the decision, ending the debutant's resilient innings.
The breakthrough triggered a rapid decline. In the following over, Taskin Ahmed dismissed Salman, who edged a wide delivery to a tactically positioned gully fielder.
Mohammad Rizwan narrowly escaped an early exit by successfully reviewing an LBW decision on his first ball, and alongside Saud Shakeel, he guided Pakistan to the drinks break. With 119 runs still needed and five wickets in hand, the possibility of a draw remained, prompting Bangladesh to reintroduce Rana into the attack.
Rana, who had been expensive earlier in the day, responded with a decisive spell. He first induced a reckless drive from Shakeel, resulting in a catch behind the stumps. In his subsequent over, Rana delivered a 147 kph nip-backer that Rizwan misjudged; the batsman offered no stroke as the ball shattered the wickets.
Taijul then trapped Hasan Ali's leg before with an arm ball before Rana concluded the match. He secured an LBW against Noman Ali via review and had Shaheen Afridi caught to seal the landmark win.
Morning and Afternoon Sessions
The day began with Bangladesh adding 88 runs in 20 overs to set a target of 268. The effort was anchored by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who contributed a vital 87.
Pakistan's chase started poorly when Imam-ul-Haq edged Taskin to the slip cordon before Lunch. However, Fazal revitalised the innings in the afternoon, aggressively targeting Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rana.
Although Mehidy bowled Azan Awais for 15 and Rana dismissed Shan Masood for two, Fazal continued his assault. He reached his half-century with an upper-cut off Ebadot Hossain, becoming only the sixth Pakistani to score fifties in both innings of a Test debut. Despite his efforts and the support of Salman, the challenge proved insurmountable against a relentless Bangladesh bowling unit.
Brief Scores:
- Bangladesh: 413 & 240/9 decl. (Najmul Hossain Shanto 87, Mominul Haque 56; Hasan Ali 3-52)
- Pakistan: 386 & 163 (Abdullah Fazal 66; Nahid Rana 5-40)
- Result: Bangladesh won by 104 runs.