Bangladesh win their first-ever home Test against Pakistan after a thrilling day 5 contest

Bangladesh came out on top after a rollercoaster of a fifth day of the Mirpur Test. Both teams kept pinning the other down in succession, but the home team eventually prevailed, winning their first-ever home red-ball game against Pakistan. 

Bangladesh continue winning streak

The win gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the two-match series as well, allowing them to continue their ravaging form against the opponent, whom they had whitewashed 2-0 in 2024 at home.

The hosts’ bowlers kept finding a solution for each challenge Pakistan threw their way. Setting a target of 268 runs, Bangladesh drew first blood quickly by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq before lunch. The centurion from the previous innings, Azan Awais, soon had to depart, and Pakistan captain Shan Masood followed suit shortly after. 

Abdullah was Pakistan’s lone warrior

Abdullah Fazal put up a strong fight as he battled heat, humidity, and quality pace and spin bowling by the home team.

Fazal scored his second fifty of this Test, becoming the sixth Pakistan batter to achieve the feat. However, in the first over after tea, Fazal had to walk back with Taijul Islam trapping him LBW in a DRS-reversed umpire decision.

After Abdullah, Pakistan couldn’t quite make a comeback. None of the middle-order batters, including Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan, could get past even 30 runs. Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed were firing with the ball, with the former throwing 145+ kph firebolts with incredible frequency. At this point, a draw ceased to be a possibility, with Bangladesh firmly on top.

Nahid Rana bags his first-ever home five-for

The tail was cleaned up quickly thereafter, mainly by Nahid, as he completed his first-ever five-wicket haul in Tests at home. The young pacer combined his searing pace with immaculate line and length to deny Pakistan any chance of mischief.

This is also Bangladesh’s first win in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, having lost and drawn their previous two matches against Sri Lanka. Pakistan, who retain their fifth position on the WTC points table despite the loss, have plenty of introspection to do in all three areas: fielding, bowling, and batting.

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