IBangladesh triumphed in their first Test against Pakistan, with the exceptional performances of spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan leading them to a spectacular 10-wicket victory in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Pakistan declared their first innings at an imposing 448-6, but crumbled to 146 all out in their second, leaving Bangladesh with a modest target of 30 runs to clinch a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
Miraz’s superb 4-21 and Shakib’s impressive 3-44 wreaked havoc on the Pakistan batting lineup, exposing their error of not including a single professional spinner in their attack.
Bangladesh’s openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, confidently chased down the target in just seven overs, sealing the victory with more than a session to spare.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the jubilant captain, exclaimed, ‘It’s massive! We had never won here, but we believed from the start of the series that we could pull it off this time.’
Mushfiqur Rahim, whose stellar 191 steered Bangladesh to a commanding 565 all out in their first innings, was deservedly named player of the match.
In a heartwarming gesture, the seasoned batsman donated his prize money to the flood victims in his homeland.
Pakistan’s decision to rely heavily on pace backfired on the sluggish track, neutralizing the fiery new-ball attack of Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.
Resuming the final day at 23-1, Pakistan soon lost captain Shan Masood to Hasan Mahmud for 14.
Babar Azam was dismissed early after dragging a delivery from Nahid Rana onto his stumps, departing for 22.
Shakib’s crucial wickets of Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique put Bangladesh firmly in control before Miraz took up the mantle.
Mohammad Rizwan’s fighting 51, adding to his first-innings 171, was commendable but ultimately in vain.
‘Not to make excuses, but the pitch didn’t play how we expected,’ Masood admitted during the presentation ceremony.
‘We made mistakes and need to improve for the next game. A spinner would have certainly helped,’ he conceded.