Bangladesh secured a 10-wicket victory in the first match of the two-Test series against Pakistan. The Tigers made a promising start by defeating Pakistan in Rawalpindi. As a result, Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the Test series.
Bangladesh has no fond memories of facing Pakistan in Test cricket. In 2003, they came close to winning the Multan Test, only to lose due to the resilience of Inzamam-ul-Haq, missing out on their first Test victory. The Tigers turned the bitter memory of Multan into a sweet one in Rawalpindi. Through a combined effort from bowlers and batters, Bangladesh secured their first victory against Pakistan.
Sunday, August 25, was in favor of Bangladesh’s bowlers on the fifth day of the first Test. Before lunch, Pakistan had lost six wickets for 108 runs. Bangladeshi bowlers took five wickets before the break. Although Mohammad Rizwan tried, none of the other Pakistani batters could settle on the pitch. Pakistan lost all their wickets for 146 runs.
Aside from Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique, no one could score a respectable total. Rizwan was the only batter to score a half-century, while Shafique contributed 37 runs. Babar Azam and captain Shan Masood were the only other players to reach double figures.
Among the Bangladeshi bowlers, Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the highest number of wickets, with 4 wickets in 11.5 overs, including 2 maidens, conceding only 21 runs. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also claimed 3 wickets, becoming the highest wicket-taker among left-arm spinners. Among the pacers, Hasan Mahmud, Shariful Islam, and Nahid Rana each took one wicket.
Pakistan declared their first innings at 448/6. In response, Bangladesh ended their first innings at 565 runs, losing all wickets. With a 117-run lead in the first innings, Pakistan could only take a 29-run lead. This left Bangladesh with a target of just 30 runs.
Chasing the target, Bangladesh reached victory in just 6.3 overs. Openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan left the field unbeaten.
As a result, Bangladesh won the first Test in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets, marking their biggest victory in Test cricket.
