1st Test: Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 104 runs

Dhaka (Web Desk): Bangladesh secured a convincing 104-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday, wrapping up a dominant all-round performance across five days.

Set a target of 268 runs, Pakistan’s chase unraveled in the final session as they were dismissed for 163 in 52.5 overs after resuming at 116 for 3. The collapse was engineered by a superb spell from Nahid Rana, whose pace and accuracy tore through the batting order and earned him a five-wicket haul.

Pakistan’s pursuit began on a shaky note when Taskin Ahmed struck in the very first over, removing Imam-ul-Haq for just 2 off 5 balls. Although early pressure was evident, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal attempted to settle the innings with a composed 50-run stand for the second wicket, briefly steadying the chase.

That resistance ended at 54 when Azan departed for 15 off 33 deliveries after hitting a boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, leaving Pakistan at 57 for 2 in 12.1 overs. The momentum soon shifted further when skipper Shan Masood fell cheaply for 2 off 5 balls, again to Nahid Rana, deepening Pakistan’s troubles.

Abdullah Fazal continued to show grit, producing a well-constructed 66 off 113 balls, including 11 fours, but his innings ended lbw to Taijul Islam following a crucial 51-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha. The dismissal left Pakistan struggling at 121 for 5 in 32.4 overs.

Salman Ali Agha tried to counterattack but was removed for 26 off 39 balls by Taskin Ahmed, who claimed his second wicket of the innings. At 121 for 5, Pakistan’s chase was effectively hanging by a thread.

Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel attempted to rebuild with a responsible partnership that pushed the score beyond 150, but the breakthrough came when Nahid Rana struck again, dismissing Saud for 15 off 32 balls, which included two boundaries, leaving Pakistan at 152 for 6 in 44.3 overs.

Rana then further dismantled the innings by clean bowling Rizwan for 15 off 46 balls, with one boundary in his effort. The tail offered little resistance as Hasan Ali fell lbw to Taijul Islam for 1, Noman Ali was dismissed for 4 by Rana, and Shaheen Afridi was removed without scoring. Pakistan’s innings folded shortly after, with Rana finishing with outstanding figures of 5 for 40 in 9.5 overs, while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets each and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added one.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh resumed their second innings on the final day at 152 for 3 in 50.3 overs and steadily built their total before declaring at 240 for 9, setting Pakistan a challenging target of 268.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto once again anchored the innings with a composed 87 off 150 deliveries, striking seven boundaries. Mominul Haque provided solid support with 56 off 120 balls, featuring four fours. Useful contributions also came from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 24, and Mushfiqur Rahim, who added 22, while the rest of the batting order failed to make significant impact.

On the fourth day earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers had initially made inroads into Bangladesh’s second innings. Mohammad Abbas struck first, trapping Mahmudul Hasan Joy lbw for 5 off 26 balls. Hasan Ali followed up by dismissing Shadman Islam for 10 off 22 deliveries despite a brief counterattack that included two boundaries.

Bangladesh, however, regained control through a crucial partnership between Mominul Haque and Shanto. The pair guided the innings past 50 and then added a commanding 105-run stand, both reaching half-centuries and steering the hosts past the 100-run mark in control. Shaheen Shah Afridi eventually broke the partnership by removing Mominul for 56, reducing Bangladesh to 128 for 3 in 42.5 overs.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali returned with three wickets each, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two, and Mohammad Abbas claimed one.

In their first innings, Bangladesh had earlier posted a strong total of 413 in 117.1 overs after electing to bat. Despite early setbacks at 31 for 2, Mominul Haque and Shanto rebuilt the innings with a massive 170-run partnership.

Shanto converted his start into a fluent century, scoring 101 off 130 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, while Haque contributed 91 off 200 deliveries with 10 boundaries. Mushfiqur Rahim added 71, and Litton Das along with Taskin Ahmed chipped in with 33 and 28 respectively.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas led the bowling effort with a five-wicket haul of 5 for 92 in 34 overs, supported by Shaheen Shah Afridi with three wickets, while Hasan Ali and Noman Ali took one each.

Pakistan’s reply in the first innings reached 386 in 100.3 overs, falling just 27 runs short. Strong contributions came from debutants Azan Awais, who scored 103, and Abdullah Fazal with 60, alongside Salman Ali Agha’s 58 and Mohammad Rizwan’s 59. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with 5 for 102, while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam picked up two wickets apiece and Nahid Rana added one.