RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh recorded their first-ever Test match victory over Pakistan in 14 attempts, emerging victorious by 10 wickets in the first Test of the series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This victory marks Bangladesh’s 20th Test win overall in 143 matches.
Pakistan began the final day of the Test with a challenging target, trailing by 117 runs in the first innings and needing an additional 94 runs to erase the deficit. However, the Pakistani batting lineup faltered under pressure, collapsing to 108 for six at lunch before ultimately being dismissed for 146, just 93 minutes into the second session.
The visitors chased down the modest target of 30 runs without losing a wicket, thus avenging their narrow one-wicket defeat at Multan Cricket Stadium 21 years ago. In that historic match, Inzamam-ul-Haq’s unbeaten 138 had denied Bangladesh their first Test win against Pakistan. Until today’s victory, that was the closest Bangladesh had come to defeating Pakistan in Test cricket.
Pakistan’s first innings, which saw them declare at 448 for six, became their second-highest total in a losing cause where they declared. The highest such total remains 574 for eight declared against Australia in Melbourne in 1972, with Australia winning by 92 runs.
Bangladesh’s response was impressive, as they scored 565 runs to secure a 117-run first innings lead. Mushfiqur Rahim was the standout performer, scoring a monumental 191, which earned him the Player of the Match award. Significant contributions also came from Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das, and Mominul Haque, who all made half-centuries.
The second innings saw a brilliant performance from Bangladesh’s spin duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan, who claimed seven wickets between them. Mehidy’s figures were particularly notable, with 11.5-2-21-4, while Shakib added 17-3-44-3 to his tally. The fast bowlers—Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana—also played crucial roles, each picking up a wicket.
Mehidy’s dismissal of key players, including Mohammad Rizwan (51), Salman Ali Agha (0), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2), and Mohammad Ali (0), was pivotal. Shakib removed Abdullah Shafique (37), Saud Shakeel (0), and Naseem Shah (3), further demoralizing the Pakistani side.
Pakistan’s innings fell apart after Babar Azam’s dismissal at 66 total at the scoreboard, which exposed the rest of the lineup. The home team’s batting collapsed rapidly, with significant contributions from the spinners and crucial breakthroughs by the fast bowlers. Rizwan’s 51 was the highest score in the second innings but was insufficient to avert the defeat.
This loss extends Pakistan’s winless streak at home to nine Tests. Their last victory was against South Africa in Rawalpindi in February 2021. Since then, Pakistan has faced defeats and draws in subsequent matches against Australia, England, and New Zealand.
For Bangladesh, this victory represents only their second win outside Bangladesh in the ICC World Test Championship, with their previous overseas win being against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. This success significantly impacts Pakistan’s chances of making it to the ICC World Test Championship final in July 2025, despite having eight Tests remaining in the current cycle.
The second Test of the series will commence on 30 August, with Pakistan scheduled to face England in three Tests in October. They will then travel to South Africa for two Tests during the Boxing Day and New Year period, followed by a series against the West Indies in January.
Scores in brief (day 5 of 5)
Pakistan 448-6 declared (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.
