September 4, 2024

Bangladesh Dominates Pakistan in Historic 2-0 Series Sweep

All six Bangladesh batters contributed effectively in the fourth innings, leaving Pakistan no chance for a comeback. Bangladesh scored 262 (Litton 138, Mehidy 78, Shahzad 6-90) and 185 for 4 (Zakir 40, Agha 1-17), defeating Pakistan’s totals of 274 (Ayub 58, Masood 57, Agha 54, Mehidy 5-61, Taskin 3-57) and 172 (Agha 47*, Mahmud 5-43, Rana 4-44) by six wickets.

On a historic day for Bangladesh cricket, their batters delivered crucial performances to complete a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan with a six-wicket victory on the fifth afternoon in Rawalpindi. Chasing 185, Zakir Hasan scored 40, while Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque contributed steady 30s. The experienced duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan then guided Bangladesh to victory, sparking celebrations in their dressing room. Bangladesh approached the chase with remarkable composure, achieving their third-highest successful run chase in Test cricket.

An overseas Test victory, let alone a series win, is a rare achievement for Bangladesh. This win marked only their fourth in 20 overseas Tests over the past seven years and just their third Test series victory abroad.

Pakistan’s Home Woes Deepen as Bangladesh Clinches Victory

For Pakistan, this defeat deepened their woes, extending their winless streak at home to ten Tests. Since their victory against South Africa in early February 2021, Pakistan has endured four draws and six losses, including series defeats to Australia, England, and now Bangladesh.

Heading into the second session, Bangladesh needed 63 runs with eight wickets remaining. Najmul Hossain Shanto attempted some reverse sweeps and managed a four through backward point but was dismissed softly, bunting a straight delivery from Salman Agha to Abdullah Shafique at short leg. Mominul Haque, who had been cautious earlier, picked up the pace after Shanto’s departure, cutting Agha through point and edging Mir Hamza for another four. Desperate for breakthroughs, Pakistan wasted two reviews on consecutive lbw appeals against Mushfiqur Rahim, both of which were inside edges onto the pad.

Mominul’s aggression led to his downfall when he mistimed a shot straight to mid-off off Abrar Ahmed. However, Mushfiqur and Shakib Al Hasan ensured there were no further slip-ups. They played cautiously, avoided risky shots, and steadily edged towards the target. Shakib brought the target under 20 with a straight six off Abrar before sealing the win with a boundary through covers off the same bowler. This victory propelled Bangladesh past England to fourth place on the World Test Championship table.

Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh resumed at 42 without loss. Shadman Islam started with a crisp square cut, but Pakistan’s bowlers dominated the first 45 minutes. Mohammad Ali should have dismissed Zakir Hasan when he edged a good-length ball outside off, but none of the fielders appealed, missing a clear opportunity.

Early Dismissals and Steady Partnership Thwart Pakistan’s Comeback Hopes

Zakir Hasan didn’t stay long at the crease. Mir Hamza, who was consistently hitting a good length outside off, bowled a delivery that angled in from over the wicket. It beat Zakir’s outside edge and clipped the top of off stump. Hamza and Mohammad Ali then bowled tightly, not allowing any easy runs. When Najmul Hossain Shanto finally scored his first run off his tenth ball, it was the first run in 25 deliveries. Hamza later induced a thick outside edge from Shadman Islam, but the ball flew to the left of Salman Agha at second slip. Agha made a valiant one-handed diving effort but couldn’t hold on. A third slip might have caught it, but that position was left vacant.

Shadman couldn’t capitalize on his reprieve and was dismissed eight balls later, playing a loose drive. Khurram Shahzad bowled full outside off, and Shadman drove on the up, only to find a pumped-up Shan Masood at cover. However, Shanto and Mominul Haque put an end to Pakistan’s hopes of a comeback. Though the hosts had some chances, with the ball occasionally finding the edge, it kept evading the fielders. Shanto and Mominul knew time was on their side, so they gradually chipped away at the target.

Shanto occasionally took the aggressive route, flicking Ali through midwicket and driving Shahzad down the ground, while Mominul focused on taking singles. The only time Mominul showed aggression was when he slog-swept Abrar Ahmed through midwicket for four. Shan Masood made several bowling changes and brought back Hamza, but Shanto and Mominul managed to survive until lunch. Although Pakistan eventually dismissed the pair, there weren’t enough runs to defend, and they fell to defeat in front of a sparse home crowd.