Bangladesh pacers take all 10 wickets for the first time in Test

Bangladesh pacers inscribed their name in the country’s cricket folklore by claiming all 10 wickets of Pakistan in the second innings of the series deciding Test today at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

This is the first time in their 144 Test matches, Bangladesh pacers were able to take all 10 wickets to fall in a Test innings against any opponents.

Bangladesh’s three-pronged pace attack, comprised with Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana scythed down the Pakistan’s second innings, helping the side close in on a series victory.

Hasan Mahmud was the stand out, registering his maiden five-wicket haul in his just third Test. While he snapped up 5-43, young pedigree Nahid Rana also sensed a maiden five-wicket haul but ended up with 4-44. Senior pacer Taskin Ahmed took the rest of the wicket.

Hasan took two wickets on Day 3 to leave Pakistan at 9-2 and on Day 4, Taskin gave the first breakthrough, taking out Saim Ayub.

Hasan and Nahid Rana then wrecked havoc on Pakistan batters with the intriguing combination of swing and raw pace that left the hosts speechless at their own den. Pakistan eventually were all out for 172, setting just 185-run target for Bangladesh to win the game.

There was no instance in Test cricket before this match but the Bangladesh fast bowlers took 10 wickets in an innings once before in international cricket, in an ODI against Ireland in Sylhet last year in March when they skittled out the visitors for 101.

Interestingly Mahmud had claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs in that game. Taskin had taken three wickets in that match while Ebadot Hossain took two.

Mahmud, however, also became the first Bangladeshi pacer to claim five wickets in a Test innings in Pakistan. Earlier, left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique and off spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz achieved the feat. Miraz’s feat came against in this Test in the first innings.

Former captain and medium pace-bowling all-rounder Khaled Mahmud Sujon had come the closest to a five-for in Pakistan when he took 4-37 in the famous Multan Test back in 2003, which Bangladesh lost by one wicket. (BSS)