Rawalpindi, 3 September 2024: Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by six wickets in a rain-affected second cricket Test to convincingly sweep the two-Test series 2-0 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Bangladesh had last week won the first Test by 10 wickets after Pakistan had declared their first innings at 448 for six.

This was just Bangladesh’s third series win outside home and first against Pakistan. And befittingly, Bangladesh’s most decorated and experienced cricketers – Mushfiqur Rahim (22) and Shakib Al Hasan (21) – were at the crease when their side wrote history. The two batters had joined hands at 153 for four after Abrar Ahmed had picked up his only wicket of the Test by dismissing Mominul Haque (34).

In the first Test, Mushfiqur had scored a gallant 191 to steer Bangladesh to a commanding 565 in the first innings, while Shakib had taken four wickets in the match, including three for 44 as Pakistan were spun out for 146.

For Pakistan, it was their sixth loss in 10 Tests at home since their 95 runs victory over South Africa on 8 February 2021, making it 1,303 days without a home Test win. Overall, it was Pakistan’s 11th loss in 23 Tests with eight wins since Hasan Ali’s 10-fer against Quinton de Kock’s side.

It was also Shan Masood’s fifth successive loss as Pakistan captain since taking over from Babar Azam for last year’s tour to Australia, while it was also a forgettable start for Jason Gillespie as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach. With Pakistan’s next Test against England at home on 7 October, Bangladesh have left Pakistan with a mountain to climb.

The series loss has also ended Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June. After seven Tests, Pakistan is languishing eighth in the nine-team table with 16 points.

Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 42 for no loss in pursuit of 185 runs target, Bangladesh went for lunch at 122 for two and wrapped up the series a stroke before tea as rain stayed away whole day.

In the first session’s play, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam were the batters to be dismissed, falling to Mir Hamza and Khurran Shahzad, respectively. Zakir was bowled on 40 after starting the day at 31, while Shadman added 15 runs to his overnight score of nine to depart after contributing 24 runs.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) then added a 57 runs partnership for the third wicket with Mominul to put Bangladesh on a course for a comfortable victory.

Litton Das, for his 138 runs in the first innings after Bangladesh had plummeted to 26 for six and six dismissals, was adjudged player of the match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz for his 155 runs in two innings and 10 wickets in the series was declared player of the series.

Scores in brief (day 5 of 5)

Pakistan 274 all-out, 85.1 overs (Saim Ayub 58, Shan Masood 57, Salman Ali Agha 54, Babar Azam 31, Mohammad Rizwan 29; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-61, Taskin Ahmed 3-57) and 172 all-out, 46.4 overs (Salman Ali Agha 47 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 43, Shan Masood 28, Saim Ayub 20; Hasan Mahmud 5-43, Nahid Rana 4-44)

Bangladesh 262 all-out, 78.4 overs (Litton Das 138, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 78, Hasan Mahmud 13 not out; Khurram Shahzad 6-90, Salman Ali Agha 2-13, Mir Hamza 2-50) and 185-4, 56 overs, (Zakir Hasan 40, Najmul Hossain Shanto 38, Mominul Haque 34, Shadman Islam 24)

Result – Bangladesh won by six wickets

Player of the match – Litton Das (Bangladesh)

Player of the series – Mehidy Hasan Mirza (Bangladesh)