RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AFP) — Bangladesh’s cricket team etched their names into the annals of cricketing history with a memorable 2-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan, crowned by a tense six-wicket victory at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. This triumph marks Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series win against Pakistan.
The climactic moment came when allrounder Shakib Al Hasan struck the winning boundary 25 minutes before tea on the final day of the second Test, igniting jubilation within the Bangladesh dressing room and among the handful of flag-waving supporters in the stands. Shakib remained unbeaten on 21, alongside Mushfiqur Rahim, who was 22 not out, as the visitor team successfully chased down the 185-run target.
Key contributions from openers Zakir Hasan (40) and Shadman Islam (24), as well as crucial innings from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and Mominul Haque (34), underpinned Bangladesh’s batting effort. Their collective determination and gritty performances cemented a win that is already being celebrated as a significant milestone for the nation.
Pakistan, batting first, posted scores of 274 and 172 in their two innings, while Bangladesh dramatically recovered from a precarious 26-6 to amass 262 in their first innings. Litton Das’s magnificent 138-run rescue act played a pivotal role, setting the stage for fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud (5-43) and Nahid Rana (4-44) to dismantle Pakistan’s lineup with career-best figures on Monday.
Bangladesh had previously triumphed in the first Test, also held in Rawalpindi, with a commanding 10-wicket victory—marking their maiden win over Pakistan in 14 encounters. This series win stands as a beacon of hope and a source of immense pride for a country recently affected by political unrest and the ousting of former premier Sheikh Hasina.
“It means a lot to Bangladesh cricket and to all the players,” captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed. “I cannot express the feelings. When we came here, everybody was determined to do something special and we wanted to win. I am happy that everyone did his job to the best, and we have won a historic series.”
Najmul particularly lauded his bowlers, with special mention to allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who claimed 10 wickets with his spin bowling throughout the series. “I think the way he bowled in the first innings on this kind of condition, taking five wickets, was great,” he said. Mehidy also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 78 in a critical 165-run partnership with Litton Das that lifted Bangladesh from the brink of collapse in the first innings.
This series victory is monumental as it adds to Bangladesh’s limited overseas Test series successes, the other instances being against the West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe three years ago.
Conversely, Pakistan faces a somber reflection, having lost six of their last 10 home Tests while drawing the other four. The defeat extends skipper Shan Masood’s unfortunate record to five consecutive Test losses since his appointment last year, including a 3-0 whitewash by Australia earlier this year.
“It is extremely disappointing to lose when you start a busy season,” Masood conceded. “In both the Tests, we let them back in the game, and in this one from 26-6, so it is something we need to address before our next series. We are not finishing games and not learning from our mistakes.”
Pakistan will look to regroup and address their shortcomings ahead of their upcoming home series against England next month, a crucial three-match contest as they seek to turn their fortunes around.
