In a dominant display at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh secured a comprehensive 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test match on Tuesday. The match’s turning point came on the final day when pacer Nahid Rana delivered a remarkable five-wicket haul, sealing Bangladesh’s win.
Chasing a target of 268, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered under pressure, being bowled out for 163 runs. Nahid Rana was instrumental in the collapse, claiming the crucial wicket of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was dismissed for a 13-ball duck. Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam supported the effort with two wickets each, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz also contributed by taking a wicket as Pakistan’s resistance waned in the final session.
Despite the overall collapse, Pakistan’s debutant Abdullah Fazal showed resilience, top-scoring with 66 runs. However, after the Tea break, Pakistan’s innings lost momentum. Fazal was dismissed by Taijul Islam in the first over after Tea without adding to his score, triggering a rapid deterioration in Pakistan’s batting fortunes.
Shortly afterward, Taskin Ahmed removed Salman Ali Agha, who scored 26, leaving Pakistan struggling at 121 for 5. Although Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel attempted to stabilize the innings with a steady partnership, Nahid Rana struck decisively in back-to-back overs, dismissing both batsmen after they had contributed 15 runs each. This sequence effectively ended Pakistan’s chances of chasing down the target.
The lower order soon capitulated, losing the final three wickets for just 10 runs, allowing Bangladesh to clinch a convincing victory. Earlier in the day, Pakistan had reached 116 for 3 at Tea, still requiring 152 runs to win, with Fazal unbeaten on 66 and Salman Ali Agha on 21.
Following Lunch, Fazal and fellow debutant Azan Awais forged a vital 54-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the contest. Azan, who had scored a century in the first innings, was later dismissed for 15 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Shan Masood endured another disappointing outing, falling cheaply to Nahid Rana for just two runs.
Bangladesh had declared their second innings at 240 for 9, led by a composed 87 from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto off 150 balls. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali took three wickets each in the second innings, with Shaheen Shah Afridi claiming two and Mohammad Abbas picking up one.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim added six runs to his overnight score before Hasan Ali dismissed him for 22. Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed a brisk 24 runs off 27 deliveries late in the innings, helping Bangladesh set a challenging target.
