Bangladesh Registers Historic First Test Victory Over Pakistan in 14 Attempts
Bangladesh Registers Historic First Test Victory Over Pakistan in 14 Attempts: In a historic moment for Bangladesh cricket, they secured their first-ever Test victory over Pakistan in their 14th encounter, marking their 20th win in 143 Test matches. This milestone achievement took place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, where Bangladesh triumphed by 10 wickets, concluding the match with a session to spare.
Pakistan’s Collapse on Final Day
Pakistan, trailing by 117 runs after the first innings, resumed the final day needing 94 more runs to level the scores. However, their batting order faltered dramatically, collapsing to 108 for six by lunch and eventually being bowled out for just 146 a mere 93 minutes into the second session.
Bangladesh, needing only 30 runs for victory, chased down the target effortlessly without losing a wicket. This win exorcised the haunting memory of their narrow one-wicket loss at the Multan Cricket Stadium 21 years ago when Inzamam-ul-Haq’s unbeaten 138 denied Bangladesh their maiden Test victory against Pakistan. Prior to this match, Pakistan had dominated the head-to-head record, winning 12 out of 13 Tests against Bangladesh, including six by an innings, four by seven wickets or more, and one by a colossal 328 runs.
Bangladesh’s Dominance
Pakistan declared their first innings at 448 for six, which was their second-highest first innings total in a losing cause where they had declared the innings. The highest remains their 574 for eight declared against Australia in Melbourne in 1972, a match they lost by 92 runs.
In reply, Bangladesh posted a formidable 565, securing a 117-run lead. Mushfiqur Rahim was the star of the innings with a gritty 191, earning him the Player of the Match award. He received ample support from Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, and Mominul Haque, who all scored half-centuries.
Sunday’s 10-wicket defeat extended Pakistan’s winless streak on home soil to nine Tests. Their last victory at home was against South Africa in Rawalpindi in February 2021. Since then, they have drawn two Tests and lost one to Australia, suffered a 3-0 series defeat to England, and drawn both Tests against New Zealand.
Bangladesh’s Bowlers Seal the Victory
While Bangladesh’s victory was a collective effort, the spin duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan were the standout performers, sharing seven wickets between them. The pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana also played crucial roles, each taking one wicket to put Pakistan on the back foot.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered a match-winning performance with figures of 11.5-2-21-4, while Shakib Al Hasan returned with 17-3-44-3. Mehidy’s victims included Mohammad Rizwan (51), Salman Ali Agha (0), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2), and Mohammad Ali (0), while Shakib dismissed Abdullah Shafique (37), Saud Shakeel (0), and Naseem Shah (3).
Bangladesh’s fast bowlers laid the foundation for victory by dismantling Pakistan’s top order before the spinners took over. After Shoriful Islam had removed Saim Ayub (1) the previous evening, Hasan Mahmud struck early on the final day by dismissing Shan Masood (14) via an edge confirmed by technology. Babar Azam, who came in at 28 for two, was dropped on his first ball before being bowled by Nahid Rana for 22, playing onto his stumps. His dismissal at 66 for three triggered a collapse that saw Pakistan crumble to 118 for eight shortly after lunch.
The dismissal of key batsmen—Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah—followed in quick succession. Mohammad Rizwan, who had scored a defiant 171 not out in the first innings, attempted to hold the innings together with a resilient 51 but was bowled after misjudging a delivery from Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Bangladesh wrapped up the match in the second session, chasing the 30-run target with ease. This victory, their second away win in the ICC World Test Championship (the first being against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui), dealt a significant blow to Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final in July 2025. Despite the setback, Pakistan still has eight Tests (six at home) remaining in their campaign.
Looking Ahead
The second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan is set to begin on August 30, followed by three Tests against England in October. Pakistan will then travel to South Africa for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests before hosting the West Indies for two Tests in January.
Scores in Brief (Day 5 of 5):
Pakistan: 448-6d (Mohammad Rizwan 171 not out, Saud Shakeel 141, Saim Ayub 56, Shaheen Shah Afridi 29 not out; Hasan Mahmud 2-70, Shoriful Islam 2-77) and 146 all-out (Mohammad Rizwan 51, Abdullah Shafique 37, Babar Azam 22; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 4-21, Shakib Al Hasan 3-44)
Bangladesh: 565 all-out, 167.3 overs (Mushfiqur Rahim 191, Shadman Islam 93, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 77, Litton Das 56, Mominul Haque 50; Naseem Shah 3-93, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-88, Mohammad Ali 2-88, Khurram Shahzad 2-90) and 30-0
Result: Bangladesh won by 10 wickets
Player of the Match: Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)
