Bangladesh players celebrate after Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul powered the hosts to a 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Dhaka. Photo: FILE
Bangladesh produced a ruthless all-round performance to defeat Pakistan by 104 runs in the first Test in Dhaka on Tuesday, extending their recent dominance over the visitors with a third consecutive victory.
Fast bowler Nahid Rana led the charge with a devastating spell of pace bowling, claiming 5-40 as Pakistan were dismissed on the fifth day while chasing a target of 275. Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam took two wickets each, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with one wicket after his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
The victory follows Bangladesh’s historic 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan in 2024 and underlines the hosts’ growing confidence in the longest format.
Pakistan began the final day hoping to chase down the remaining runs on a deteriorating surface, but Bangladesh’s bowlers kept relentless pressure from the outset.
Debutant Abdullah Fazal fought bravely with 66 off 113 balls, striking 11 fours in an assured innings, but lacked support from the rest of the batting order. His effort made him only the sixth Pakistan batter to score fifties in both innings of a debut Test.
Bangladesh struck an early blow when Imam-ul-Haq departed before lunch, increasing the pressure on Pakistan’s fragile middle order.
Fazal responded positively after the interval, attacking Mehidy Hasan with consecutive boundaries before taking on Rana with three fours in a row. The left-hander survived a nervous phase in which edges flew through the slip cordon, but he continued to play aggressively, driving fluently down the ground and cutting anything short.
Pakistan briefly appeared capable of mounting a fightback before Mehidy Hasan removed opener Azan Awais for 15. The delivery held its line and crashed into the stumps after beating the batter’s defence.
The wicket triggered another collapse.
Rana soon trapped Pakistan captain Shan Masood, leaving the visitors struggling at 68-3 and firmly on the back foot.
Fazal reached his half-century with an upper-cut boundary off Ebadot Hossain, earning applause for his composure under pressure. However, Bangladesh regained complete control immediately after tea when Taijul Islam produced a sharp-turning delivery that beat Fazal’s defensive prod.
The on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, but Bangladesh reviewed successfully after television replays confirmed the dismissal.
Soon after, Taskin Ahmed removed Salman Ali Agha, caught at second slip by Shadman Islam, who injured himself while completing the catch but held on brilliantly.
Rana then ripped through the lower order, dismissing Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan during a hostile spell before returning to finish off Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan’s innings folded quickly as Bangladesh celebrated another memorable Test victory on home soil.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh had adopted an aggressive approach with the bat in an attempt to stretch the lead and force a result. The hosts added 88 runs in 20 overs during the morning session despite losing six wickets.
Hasan Ali provided Pakistan an early breakthrough when he dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for 22, caught at mid-off.
Shaheen Afridi then removed Litton Das, who top-edged a hook shot after scoring 11.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a valuable cameo, hitting two fours and a six in his quickfire 24 before Noman Ali dismissed him to claim his 100th Test wicket.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell lbw to Noman for 87 while attempting a reverse sweep. The left-hander narrowly missed the chance to become only the fourth batter after Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting and David Warner to score twin centuries in a Test on three separate occasions.
Despite the late wickets, Bangladesh’s attacking intent ensured Pakistan faced a challenging target on a wearing pitch, and the home bowlers capitalised superbly.
The result marks another disappointing chapter for Pakistan, whose batting struggled once again under pressure, while Bangladesh continued to build momentum after their landmark success against the same opponents last year.
