Bangladesh pacers inscribed their name in the country’s cricket folklore by claiming all 10 wickets of Pakistan in the second innings of the series deciding Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
This is the first time in their 144 Test matches Bangladesh pacers were able to take all 10 wickets to fall in a Test innings against any opponent.
Bangladesh’s three-pronged pace attack, comprising Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana scythed down Pakistan’s second innings, helping the side close in on a series victory.
Hasan was the standout, registering his maiden five-wicket haul in just his third Test.
While he snapped up 5/43, young prodigy Nahid also sensed a maiden five-wicket haul but ended up with 4/44.
Senior pacer Taskin bagged the other wicket.
Hasan grabbed two wickets on day three to leave Pakistan on 9/2 and on day four, Taskin provided the first breakthrough, taking out Saim Ayub.
Hasan and Nahid then wrecked havoc on Pakistan batters with the intriguing combination of swing and raw pace that left the hosts clueless at their own den.
Pakistan eventually were all out for 172, setting a 185-run target for Bangladesh to win the game.
There was no instance in Test cricket before this match but the Bangladesh fast bowlers notched 10 wickets in an innings once before in international cricket, in a One Day International against Ireland in Sylhet last year in March when they skittled out the visitors for 101.
Interestingly Hasan had claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs in that game.
Taskin had taken three scalps in that match and Ebadot Hossain two.
Hasan also became the first Bangladeshi pacer to bag five wickets in a Test innings in Pakistan.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique and off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz achieved the feat.
Miraz’s feat came in this Test in the first innings.
Former captain and medium pace-bowling all-rounder Khaled Mahmud had come the closest to a five-for in Pakistan when he grabbed 4/37 in the famous Multan Test back in 2003, which Bangladesh lost by one wicket.