Bangladesh completed a stirring 104-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, sealing their third successive Test win against the visitors in a dramatic final session on Day 5.
Set a target of 268, Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in 52.5 overs despite a spirited resistance from debutant Abdullah Fazal earlier in the day. The turning point came in the final session when young pacer Nahid Rana produced a fiery spell to dismantle the lower order and finish with remarkable figures of 5 for 40.
Pakistan had reached 116-3 at tea, with Fazal batting confidently on 66 and Salman Agha offering steady support. Bangladesh’s hopes appeared to be fading as the pair negotiated the afternoon session calmly after the early setbacks of Azan Awais and Shan Masood.
However, the complexion of the match changed soon after tea. Fazal was trapped leg-before by Taijul Islam, triggering a collapse. Although Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to rebuild with a patient stand, Rana’s pace and aggression proved decisive. He removed both set batters in quick succession, breaking Pakistan’s resistance.
Rana fittingly delivered the final blow, banging in a short delivery that Shaheen Shah Afridi could only glove to short leg, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home side. The five-wicket haul by the youngest member of the squad capped a memorable performance and underlined Bangladesh’s dominance.
Earlier, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto played a pivotal role in setting up the victory. Following his first-innings century (101), Shanto struck a fluent 87 in the second innings as Bangladesh declared at 240-9, leaving Pakistan 76 overs to chase the target.
Bangladesh had laid the foundation on Day 1 with 413 in their first innings, courtesy of key contributions from Shanto, Mominul Haque (91) and Mushfiqur Rahim (71). Pakistan replied with 386, highlighted by Azan Awais’s debut hundred, but Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed a five-wicket haul to secure a slender 27-run lead.
That advantage proved crucial. Bangladesh’s bowlers combined effectively on the final day, with Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam providing key breakthroughs before Rana’s match-defining spell wrapped up proceedings.
For his twin efforts of 101 and 87, Shanto was named Player of the Match, as Bangladesh celebrated a hard-fought and thoroughly deserved Test triumph in Mirpur.
