Bangladesh started their World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle in a losing manner as they lost to Pakistan by eight wickets on the fifth day at Zahur Ahmed Stadium in the port city Tuesday.
With the result, Pakistan are leading by 1-0 in the two-match series with the second and final game commencing this Saturday.
First innings centurion Abid Ali made 91 while debutant Abdullah Shafique got his second fifty of the match by scoring 73.
The openers made yet another century stand in the match and their 151-run partnership made the chase comfortable for the visitors.
On the final day it looked just like a formality as Pakistan needed just 93 runs with all wickets in hand on a deck that did not offer much help to the spinners.
However, Bangladesh off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz got the first breakthrough when he dismissed Shafique for 73 in the 43rd over.
While trying to execute a sweep shot Shafique missed the ball and it struck his thigh before umpire Michael Gough gave him out.
His unsuccessful attempt ensured the end of his innings but the 22-year old batsman from Sialkot made an impressive debut as he scored 125 in the match with two fifties.
As a matter of fact both the opening stands of Pakistan were key factor for their win as they amassed a total of 292 runs in the game.
Abid, the 32-year old opener once again showed his resilience and temperament in his brilliant 91.
The right-hander, who made 133 in the first innings and was adjudged man of the match, stayed on the back foot to face a Taijul Islam drifter and was trapped in front for a plumb leg before in the 50th over.
As a result he failed to get twin centuries in the match but he shrugged off the disappointment and said he is looking forward to the next match in Mirpur.
“The Test Championship started and it is very important for us and Alhamdulillah we won the game and we need to win the next game as well as that will help us increase our points in Test Championship and put us in a better position in (the standings),” said Abid after the match.
Abid’s wicket taker Taijul would rue himself unlucky as he could not get the chance to take a 10-wicket haul in the match but he was one of the brightest points in the game for Bangladesh.
His seven-wicket haul in the first innings was one of the best bowling performances by a Bangladeshi in a Test match.
Skipper Mominul Haque also acknowledged the fact.
“One of the positives in this Test for us was Taijul’s seven-for. It was not easy to get seven wickets on this track,” said Mominul after the match.
Liton Das was also another bright spot for Bangladesh as he scored a century and a half century.
After winning the toss on the first day, Bangladesh scored 330 thanks to a 206-run fifth wicket stand between Liton and Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 114 and 91 respectively.
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali got five wickets.
Pakistan were all out for 286 in their first innings and the hosts got a vital 44-run lead thanks to Taijul’s 7/116.
Bangladesh top-order collapsed once again in the second innings, one of the regular phenomena in Test cricket, and failed to give a sufficient target to their bowlers.