Bangladesh Outclass Pakistan to Go 1-0 Up in Test Series

MIRPUR: Bangladesh national cricket team secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan national cricket team in the opening Test of the two-match series on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium to take a 1-0 lead.

Chasing 268 for victory, Pakistan resumed the final session on 116-3 but suffered a dramatic collapse and were eventually dismissed for 163 in 52.5 overs. Fast bowler Nahid Rana starred with the ball, claiming a decisive five-wicket haul.

Pakistan’s pursuit got off to the worst possible start when Taskin Ahmed removed Imam-ul-Haq for just two runs in the opening over.

The visitors briefly recovered through debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, who stitched together a steady 50-run partnership to calm early nerves.

However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the stand by dismissing Azan for 15, leaving Pakistan at 57-2. Moments later, Nahid Rana struck to send captain Shan Masood back for only two runs.

Abdullah continued to fight despite wickets tumbling around him and produced an impressive 66 off 113 balls, decorated with 11 boundaries. His resistance ended when Taijul Islam trapped him lbw.

Pakistan’s troubles deepened further as Taskin dismissed Salman Ali Agha for 26 shortly after, reducing the tourists to 121-5.

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel attempted to revive the chase with a useful stand that carried Pakistan beyond 150, but Nahid Rana returned to dismantle the lower order.

Saud fell for 15 before Rana clean bowled Rizwan for another 15-run contribution. Taijul then removed Hasan Ali, while Nahid also accounted for Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi to seal the win.

Nahid finished with outstanding figures of 5-40, while Taijul and Taskin grabbed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Bangladesh resumed the final day on 152-3 and extended their second-innings total to 240-9 declared, setting Pakistan a challenging fourth-innings target.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto once again anchored the innings with a composed 87 off 150 deliveries, striking seven boundaries. Mominul Haque also played a key role with a patient 56.

Useful lower-order contributions came from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim, who added 24 and 22 respectively.

Pakistan’s bowlers had started the day positively. Mohammad Abbas removed Mahmudul Hasan Joy early, while Hasan Ali dismissed Shadman Islam cheaply.

Bangladesh then regained control through a dominant 105-run partnership between Shanto and Mominul, frustrating the Pakistani attack and pushing the hosts into a commanding position.

Shaheen Afridi eventually broke the stand by removing Mominul for 56, but Bangladesh had already built a strong platform.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali picked up three wickets each in the innings, while Shaheen claimed two and Abbas took one.

In the first innings, Bangladesh posted 413 after electing to bat first. Mominul Haque, Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim were the principal contributors with the bat.

After slipping to 31-2, Mominul and Shanto rescued the innings with a crucial 170-run stand. Shanto went on to score 101, while Mominul narrowly missed out on a century with 91.

Mushfiqur added a solid 71, while Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed chipped in with valuable runs lower down the order.

Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s bowling effort with an impressive 5-92, while Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets.

Pakistan replied with 386, conceding a narrow first-innings deficit of 27 runs.

Debutant Azan Awais impressed with a superb century, scoring 103, while Abdullah Fazal added 60. Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan also made important half-centuries with scores of 58 and 59 respectively.

For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with the ball by taking 5-102, while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam claimed two wickets each.