Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by defeating Pakistan by six wickets in the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, completing a 2-0 series sweep. This victory marks Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series win against Pakistan and their third series win outside of home soil.
Bangladesh began the final day of the match with an overnight score of 42 without loss, chasing a target of 185 runs. Despite losing a few early wickets, the team reached the target just before tea, avoiding any disruptions from the rain.
The win was sealed by the experienced duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, who were at the crease when Bangladesh crossed the finish line. Mushfiqur scored 22 runs, while Shakib added 21, ensuring Bangladesh’s victory.
Litton Das: Litton Das was named Player of the Match for his crucial innings of 138 in the first innings. His performance was vital in helping Bangladesh recover from a precarious position and post a competitive total.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Mehidy Hasan Miraz was awarded Player of the Series for his all-round performance. He scored 155 runs across both innings and took 10 wickets in the series, playing a key role in Bangladesh’s success.
For Pakistan, this series defeat continues a troubling trend of poor performances in home Tests. This was Pakistan’s sixth loss in their last 10 home Tests, with their last victory coming in February 2021 against South Africa.
Shan Masood’s Captaincy: This series was also the fifth consecutive loss for Shan Masood as Pakistan’s Test captain. Since taking over the leadership role from Babar Azam, Masood has faced significant challenges in turning around the team’s fortunes.
Jason Gillespie’s Start: The series marked a difficult beginning for Jason Gillespie as Pakistan’s new red-ball head coach. The former Australian fast bowler will need to address several issues within the team as they prepare for their next Test series against England.
Pakistan, in their first innings, scored 274 runs, with contributions from Saim Ayub (58), Shan Masood (57), and Salman Ali Agha (54). However, they were unable to build on this as Bangladesh bowled them out for 172 in the second innings. Hasan Mahmud took five wickets for 43 runs, while Nahid Rana claimed four for 44.
In response, Bangladesh posted 262 runs in their first innings, led by Litton Das’s century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 78. Despite a shaky start, Bangladesh managed to chase down the target of 185, finishing at 185 for four.
Implications for the ICC World Test Championship
The loss has severely impacted Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final. With only 16 points from seven Tests, Pakistan is now eighth in the nine-team table, making their path to the final extremely difficult.
Bangladesh’s victory in this series is a landmark achievement and a significant step forward for the team in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Pakistan faces a challenging period ahead as they look to regroup and address their ongoing issues before their next series against England.
