Sports
History Made as Bangladesh Whitewash Pakistan in Test Series
RAWALPINDI: Bangladesh made history on Tuesday by securing a six-wicket victory in the second Test against Pakistan, completing a clean sweep of the two-match series and marking their first-ever Test series win over the Green Shirts.
The visitors began the final day at 42-0, continuing from where they left off after rain interrupted play on Monday. Chasing Pakistan’s second-innings target of 185 runs, Bangladesh displayed a dominant performance, successfully reaching the target with six wickets in hand.
Openers Zakir Hasan (40) and Shadman Islam (24) provided a solid start, frustrating the Shan Masood-led Pakistani side. The experienced duo of Mushfiqur Rahim (22) and Shakib Al Hasan (21) steered Bangladesh to victory, finishing the chase in 56 overs and sealing a historic series win.
This defeat marks Pakistan’s fifth consecutive loss in Test matches—three against Australia and two against Bangladesh—in the ongoing World Test Championship.
Clinical Performance by Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s strong start set the tone for the day’s play. Hasan and Islam fell to Pakistan’s bowlers Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad, respectively. However, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and Mominul Haque (34) stabilized the innings with a crucial partnership. Salman Ali Agha dismissed Shanto, while Abrar Ahmed took Haque’s wicket, but it was not enough to prevent Bangladesh from cruising to victory.
On the fourth day, Bangladesh’s bowlers dismantled Pakistan for just 172 runs, with pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana wreaking havoc. Mahmud claimed five wickets, while Rana picked up four. Mahmud’s performance was particularly notable as he registered his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, becoming the first Bangladeshi pacer to achieve this feat in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Struggles Continue
Starting the day at a precarious 9/2, Pakistan’s batsmen tried to steady the ship. Saim Ayub and skipper Shan Masood added 38 runs, providing some hope. However, Ayub’s dismissal by Taskin Ahmed for 20 runs marked the beginning of a collapse. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 43 runs off 73 balls, but the rest of the batting order crumbled. Abrar Ahmed was dismissed for 2, and Mir Hamza fell for 4, leaving Salman Ali Agha stranded on 47 not out as Pakistan was bowled out for 172.
Bangladesh’s Resilience
Bangladesh’s road to victory was not without challenges. In response to Pakistan’s first-innings score of 274, they were reduced to 26-6, facing the prospect of a follow-on. However, a brilliant 138 by Litton Das and a gritty 78 from Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped them recover to post 262 all out. Khurram Shahzad was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan in that innings, taking six wickets.
A Historic Achievement
Bangladesh’s clean sweep over Pakistan in this Test series marks a significant achievement in their cricketing history. This victory not only showcases their growing strength in the longer format but also underscores the challenges Pakistan faces as they look to rebuild and regain their form in international cricket.
With this series win, Bangladesh has written a new chapter in their cricketing journey, while Pakistan will need to reflect on their recent performances and make strategic adjustments ahead of future series.
