Bangladesh achieved a historic 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Rawalpindi, thanks to phenomenal performances by spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. The duo took a total of seven wickets, with Mehidy grabbing 4-21 and Shakib 3-44, leading to Pakistan’s collapse in the second innings. Pakistan was dismissed for 146 runs, setting a target of just 30 runs for Bangladesh, which the team reached in 6.3 overs. Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam played crucial roles in securing the win, with Zakir hitting the winning boundary. This win marked Bangladesh’s first-ever victory over Pakistan in five-day cricket.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dedicated the win to the individuals who lost their lives during recent political turmoil in their nation. The team paid tribute to those affected by the events and prayed for their souls. Shanto expressed gratitude for the victory, noting that it was particularly special as it coincided with his 26th birthday. On the other hand, Pakistan skipper Shan Masood described the loss as disappointing, highlighting the team’s failure to deliver as expected on the pitch. Despite expecting a draw, Pakistan succumbed to Bangladesh’s spinners, leading to a significant defeat on home soil.
Bangladesh’s Test win over Pakistan comes as a significant achievement for a team that has faced criticism for their lack of success in the format. The victory adds to Bangladesh’s list of wins against prominent teams like Australia and England. The win in Rawalpindi was only their sixth in 143 Tests, underscoring the historic nature of the triumph. Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled on a pitch that initially showed little response to bowlers but later revealed cracks exploited by Bangladesh’s spin bowlers. The hosts faced their fifth defeat in nine home matches, with key batsmen failing to deliver under pressure.
Pakistan’s top-order batsmen, including Babar Azam and skipper Shan Masood, failed to make significant contributions in the second innings. Despite Azam’s brief resistance with three boundaries, he fell victim to a well-executed delivery by Nahid Rana. Shakib’s spin bowling proved effective as he took crucial wickets before lunch, including that of Saud Shakeel and Shafique. Mehidy’s dismissal of key players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah further compounded Pakistan’s woes, leading to Bangladesh’s comprehensive victory in the Test match.
The second and final Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan will also be held in Rawalpindi, with the series forming part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Pakistan’s defeat in the first Test saw them slip to eighth place in the WTC standings, while Bangladesh climbed to sixth. The upcoming match promises to be another engaging contest between the two teams, with Bangladesh aiming to build on their newfound momentum from the historic win in the opening Test. As both teams prepare for the next battle, cricket fans eagerly anticipate more thrilling action on the field in the ongoing series.
