Bangladesh secures historic series win over Pakistan
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: In a remarkable display of skill and resilience, Bangladesh’s cricket team defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the rain-affected second Test at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, on Tuesday. This victory, coming on the heels of their first Test win, marks Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series sweep against Pakistan and only their third series win outside home.
The historic win was anchored by the performances of Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 22, and Shakib Al Hasan, who contributed 21 runs, guiding Bangladesh to a series-clinching victory. Their partnership ensured Bangladesh’s dominance, which began with a commanding win in the first Test by 10 wickets last week.
In the series opener, Mushfiqur Rahim’s impressive 191 runs set the tone for Bangladesh’s victory, while Shakib Al Hasan’s four-wicket haul in the first innings highlighted the team’s superior performance. Bangladesh’s success in this series underscores a significant milestone for the team, as it was only their third Test series win outside their home grounds.
For Pakistan, this defeat marks their sixth loss in ten Tests at home since their victory over South Africa on February 8, 2021, extending their winless streak at home to 1,303 days. The loss to Bangladesh also dashed Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June. Currently, Pakistan stands eighth in the nine-team standings with only 16 points after seven Tests.
On the final day, Bangladesh resumed their second innings at 42 for no loss, chasing a target of 185 runs. Despite losing Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam early in the session, the team managed to secure the win just before tea. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque’s crucial partnership for the third wicket steered the team towards a comfortable finish.
Litton Das was named Player of the Match for his 138 runs in the first innings, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took ten wickets across the two Tests and scored 155 runs, was declared Player of the Series.
Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in mental and physical fitness, and praised Bangladesh for their superior performance. He expressed regret over the long gap in red-ball cricket and emphasized the importance of maintaining regular competition.
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