Photo: Collected
Bangladesh has previously defeated Pakistan 8 times in ODI and T20 matches combined. The only format left was Test cricket. This wait ended for Bangladesh in the first Test of the series in Rawalpindi, where they secured a historic 10-wicket victory, their first against Pakistan in Tests in 21 years.
Back in 2003, Bangladesh came close to winning in the Multan Test but eventually lost, thanks to a match-saving effort by Inzamam-ul-Haq. Over two decades later, the Tigers roared in Rawalpindi! From the start of the fourth day, Najmul Hossain Shanto's team took the driving seat.
However, memories of Multan lingered, especially while Mohammad Rizwan was at the crease. Though Rizwan mounted some resistance, he couldn't replicate Inzamam's feat, paving the way for Bangladesh to taste their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan.
Before this, Bangladesh had lost 12 out of 13 Tests against Pakistan, with the best result being a draw. That elusive victory finally came, and it did so on the opponent's home ground, with a commanding 10-wicket margin.
In Rawalpindi, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, declaring their innings at 448 for 6. Bangladesh, in reply, scored 565, gaining a lead of 117 runs. In their second innings, Pakistan managed only 146 runs. Bangladesh chased down the modest target of 30 runs without losing a wicket.
Starting the fifth day at 23 for 1 in their second innings, Pakistan faced an early setback as Hasan Mahmud gave Bangladesh the breakthrough. Liton Das caught a faint edge off Shan Masood's bat, and Bangladesh succeeded in the review after the on-field umpire turned down their appeal.
Despite dropping an easy catch of Babar Azam off Shariful Islam in the next over, Liton Das and Bangladesh were relentless. Babar, who got a life, was soon bowled by Nahid Rana. The former Pakistan captain played a cover drive to an outside-off delivery but ended up dragging the ball onto his stumps, scoring 22 runs off 50 balls.
Shakib Al Hasan then dismissed Saud Shakeel for a duck in the very next over, breaking Pakistan's partnership. Shakeel had scored 141 runs in the first innings. Shakib also took the next wicket, sending Abdullah Shafique back to the pavilion.
With Shafique's wicket, Shakib etched his name into the record books. He now holds the most wickets by a left-arm spinner in international cricket, with a total of 706 wickets, surpassing New Zealand's legendary spinner Daniel Vettori, who had a decorated career with 305 ODI, 362 Test, and 38 T20 wickets.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz joined the attack before the lunch break, adding to Pakistan's woes. With Pakistan already on the back foot after losing 2 wickets to Shakib, Miraz deepened the crisis. He removed Agha Salman with a stunning catch by Sadman Islam in the slip.
Continuing his form after lunch, Miraz trapped Shaheen Afridi LBW. Miraz's spree of wickets was followed by another from Shakib. Attempting an aerial shot, Shaheen was caught comfortably by Mushfiqur at midwicket.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz wrapped up the remaining task single-handedly, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Ali. Together, Shakib and Miraz claimed 7 wickets, while Shariful, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana took one each.
With Pakistan setting a target of 30 runs, Bangladesh reached the target without losing any wickets in just 6.3 overs. Zakir Hasan remained unbeaten on 15, and his opening partner Sadman Islam scored an unbeaten 9.
Messenger/Shahed
