Tigers clinch historical Test series against Pakistan

Bangladesh completed a landmark Test series victory against Pakistan by notching up a six-wicket win in the series deciding second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today.

The victory also saw Bangladesh sweep two-match Test series against the hosts after a 10-wicket win in the first Test. Pakistan were the third Test nation against whom the Tigers registered a series victory, other than Zimbabwe and West Indies.

But both of the teams were significantly weaker and depleted at the time of losing the series against Bangladesh.

While Bangladesh secured maiden win against Pakistan in the first match, the second Test victory would definitely go down as the most decorated win in the annals of the cricketing history.

Bangladesh were staring at a defeat when they were reduced to 26-6 in the first innings, but with unwavering resolve, they weathered all adversities, caused by nature or Pakistani bowlers and turned the tide impeccably to come up as winner at the end.

The victory looked imminent when they were set just 185 for a series clinching victory. They completed the inevitable, one hour after the lunch, reaching the target by losing six wickets. Fittingly senior duo Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan were in the crease to seal the deal with the latter slashing Abrar Ahmed for a boundary to bring the victory.
Mushfiqur Rahim, the hero of the first Test was on 22 with Shakib on 21.

Resuming the Day 5 on 42 for no loss, Bangladesh lost the opener Zakir Hasan when pacer Mir Hamza moved one nicely to rattle his stump. Zakir added 9 runs to his overnight total to be out on 40 off 39 after hitting three fours and two sixes.

Shadman was reprieved on 17 but couldn’t make the life count and departed after chipping to Shan Masood off Khurram Shahzad for 24 to give Pakistan a glimmer of hope.

But that was shattered by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque, who showed a great composure in resisting the nerve-wrecking moment as the history on the cards.

By showing a steely resolve, they added 57-run for the third wicket to keep the side’s nose ahead. Agha Salman broke the partnership when Shanto offered a low catch to Abdullah Shafqie at short-leg. Shanto made 38 off 82, sending the ball across the ropes for five times as Bangladesh were left to 127-3.

Bangladesh were undone further when legspinner Abarar Ahmed picked up his first wicket in this Test by removing Mominul Haque who top-edged a lofted off drive to mid-off for 34.

The victory was a total team effort with Liton Das playing the vital role in creating the history.

After the first day was washed out due to persistent rain, Bangladesh won the toss and put Pakistan into bat first. Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 5-61 to help Bangladesh wrap up Pakistan first innings for 274.

Desperate to avoid a first ever Test defeat to Bangladesh, Pakistan pacers came up with fire, displaying an intriguing show of swing to leave the visitors at precarious 26-6. When everyone is written off Bangladesh’s chance, they rose from the ashes with Liton, accompanied by hardworking Mehidy Hasan Miraz put a record 165-run for the seventh wicket to help Bangladesh post 262.

Liton hit his fourth Test century before being out for 138 while Miraz made 78. Their 165-run partnership was the first instance in Test cricket’s 147-year history that a pair put up more than 150-run for the seventh or lower wicket after the team had lost six wickets for less than 50 runs on the board.

Rejuvenated by Liton’s extraordinary innings, Bangladesh pacers cut through Pakistan’s batting line up in a gem of pace bowling, led by Hasan Mahmud.

Mahmud claimed 5-43, his first five-for in Test and young pedigree Nahid Rana snapped up 4-44 to help Bangladesh bowl out Pakistan for just 172. Taskin Ahmed took the rest of the wicket as Bangladesh’s pacers took all 10 wickets in a Test innings of the opponents for the first time in their 144-match history.

All those records were prelude to a great victory which exalted a nation, suffering so much over the last two months, to an uncanny degree. (BSS)