PAK Vs BAN: Bangladesh Create History In 1st Test, Beat Pakistan For First Time In Longest Format

Rawalpindi: Bangladesh scripted history on Sunday as the visitors defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets on the fifth and final day of the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to register their maiden victory over the Asian neighbours in the longest format of the game. Out of the 13 Test matches against Pakistan before Sunday, Bangladesh had lost 12 of them while one ended in a draw. With this win, Bangladesh have defeated every Test-playing nation sans India and South Africa in the longest format.

This was also Bangladesh’s first Test win by a 10-wicket margin in history. Their previous biggest win margin in terms of wickets was when Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by eight wickets at Mount Maunganui in 2022. Notably, this was Pakistan’s first Test defeat by 10 wickets at home (including matches in the UAE).

Putting all the political unrest back home behind, Bangladesh bowlers rose to the occasion as Pakistan collapsed to 146 all out on a dramatic final day. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, who was a lawmaker in the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, shared seven wickets after the pace bowlers mopped up the top order.

Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam were unbeaten on 15 and 9, respectively, as Bangladesh reached 30/0 at the stroke of the tea interval for only its seventh away Test win and the first since beating New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in January 2022.

Pakistan, which conceded a 117-run first innings lead despite declaring at 448/6, was bowled out by a disciplined pace and spin attack after it resumed on 23/1 and still 94 runs behind. Mohammad Rizwan followed his career-best unbeaten 171 to top-score with 51 but most of his teammates were guilty of falling to rash shots coupled with some aggressive field placings by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Mehidy picked up 4/21 and Shakib 3/44 while the three fast bowlers Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana snared one wicket each. Earlier, in a dramatic first session Bangladesh set up its victory as Pakistan limped to 108/6 and lost five wickets.

The defeat extended Pakistan’s barren run in red-ball cricket at home to five losses and four draws since Thye last beat South Africa at Rawalpindi in 2021. The second Test will also be played at Rawalpindi from next Friday after it was moved from Karachi due to the ongoing construction work at the National Bank Stadium.