When it mattered most, the Tigers roared collectively to complete a most decorated victory in their Test history when they sealed a perfect 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the two-match series opening game at Rawalpindi today.
It was their first Test victory against the Pakistan in 14th attempt. Before this Test, Bangladesh lost 12, most of which by an innings margin and drew one game.
The maiden Test victory over Pakistan was some solace for the nation which was going through a difficult time in the last two months-firstly due to a political unrest and then a severe flood that affected badly in various parts of the country.
On Day 5, what was the final day of the Test, the Tigers turned the table emphatically as the Test was heading to a draw in a pitch which was mostly unresponsive for the bowlers.
But, Bangladesh’s spinners showed why they were rated highly even in a pitch, conducive to the bowlers. And left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, who just a couple days ago was charged with an alleged murder case, rose to the occasion to an uncanny degree.
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz played a perfect foil to him to further wreck havoc on Pakistan. Miraz ended with 4-21 while Shakib though finished with 3-44, his breakthrough at crucial moment proved to be decisive.
The duo’s carnage wrapped Pakistan’s second innings up for just 146, which meant they could set only 30-run target for Bangladesh.
Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam completed the inevitable in just 6.3 overs, reaching 30 for no lone with the former paddle sweeping Agha Salman for a boundary to sign off the game fittingly.
Zakir hit three boundaries for his 15 off 26 while Shadman who made 93 in the first innings was on 9.
After Mushfiqur Rahim’s epic 191, which helped side post 565, their highest Test total against Pakistan, and earn a 117-lead on Day 4, Bangladesh was the only side to win the game.
But as the pitch was mostly unresponsive, the Test is believed to head toward draw. However, Shakib though other way. When Pakistan resumed, the day at 23-1, Bangladesh got the first breakthrough through pacer Hasan Mahmud who dismissed Pakistan captain Shan Masood for 14 in just third over of the day.
Another pacer Nahid Rana compounded the woe further by getting rid of out-of-form Babar Azam who made 22.
But with dangerous Saud Shakeel, who now boasted third highest Test average for the batters scoring 1000 plus Test runs and compact Abdullah Shafique in the crease, Pakistan still are in the hunt to draw the game comfortably.
An arm ball trick of Shakib caused Shakeel’s dismissal for a duck to leave Pakistan at 67-4.
However Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan who made 171 in the first innings, resisted and gave Pakistan an ample chance to salvage a draw with the pitch still playing to batters favour.
Shakib came up as rescuer once again with a sly flighted delivery which Shafique top-edged to give the visitors a crucial breakthrough. Shafique made 37.
Shafique’s dismissal titled the game towards Bangladesh completely. And Mehdiy Hasan Miraz then appeared in the stage with a double blow, dismissing Agha Salman and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Rizwan though kept battling, Shakib and Miraz put Pakistan in dire strait, spinning the ball viciously. Rizwan, however, was the ninth batter out, when Miraz got the better of him after scored team-best 51.
In the next over, Miraz took the wicket of Mohammad Ali to wrap up Pakistan’s innings.
Pakistan declared their first innings on 448-6 after centuries from Rizwan (171) and Saud Shakil (171). There was criticism if he should declare the innings before going past 500-run mark.
Bangladesh however rode on Mushfiqur Rahim’s epic 191 and four half-centuries from other batters to post 565, their highest Test total against Pakistan and earned 117-run lead, that proved to be the game-changer finally. (BSS)
