Bangladesh creates history with thumping win over Pakistan in 1st test at Rawalpindi

 

Bangladesh cricketers created history on day 5 at Rawalpindi with a thumping 10 wicket win over Pakistan in 1st test . Helped by a marathon 191 by experienced Mushfiqur Rahim , smart bowling by all the Bangladesh bowlers and the glorious all round show by Mehdi Hasan Miraj (77 runs ,5 wickets) Bangladesh demolished Pakistan in astounding  fashion on the last day .

After the fourth day, it seemed that the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was heading towards a draw. However, the picture changed dramatically on the fifth day. Pakistan suffered a batting collapse in their second innings, with only Mohammad Rizwan putting up any resistance. Bangladesh's two spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan, took seven wickets between them. Bangladesh needed just 30 runs in the fourth innings to win, which their openers quickly achieved. Bangladesh won by 10 wickets, marking their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan. This win put them 1-0 up in the two-match series, ensuring they could not lose the series. Pakistan now needs to win the next Test to draw the series.

Before this, Bangladesh had played 13 Tests against Pakistan, losing 12 and drawing one. In their 14th attempt, they finally secured a win. In Test history, Bangladesh has yet to win a match against India and South Africa. However, Shakib and his team have now defeated all other Test-playing nations.

On the fifth day, Pakistan started at 23 for 1, but wickets fell rapidly. Captain Shan Masood (14) and Babar Azam (22) failed again. Masood was caught behind and Babar played on after spanking a few 4s.  Babar's batting has been increasingly criticised, and the Rawalpindi Test has only intensified this scrutiny. Saud Shakeel, who scored a century in the first innings, was dismissed for a duck in the second.

Rizwan fought a lone battle in the second innings, seemingly playing on a different pitch. However, he received no support from his teammates. At one point, it looked like Pakistan might lose by an innings, but Rizwan saved them from that embarrassment. He scored an attacking  half-century and tried to rally the lower-order batsmen, but was eventually bowled by Mehidy for 51. Following his dismissal, Pakistan's innings quickly collapsed, and they were all out for just 146. This was the lowest score by any team in an innings against Bangladesh. Mehidy, who had earlier scored 77 runs in the first innings, took 4 wickets for 21 runs, while the experienced Shakib took 3 wickets for 44 runs.

Bangladesh needed only 30 runs to win the Test, and it was clear that Pakistan had no chance of saving the match. Bangladesh reached the target in just 6.3 overs, with their openers remaining unbeaten, securing a 10-wicket victory. This defeat at home dealt a severe blow to Pakistan's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.

In the first innings at Rawalpindi, Pakistan declared at 448 for 6, with centuries from Shakeel (141)  and Rizwan (171*) . In response, Bangladesh scored 565 runs, with Mushfiqur Rahim making an superb 191 and Shadman Islam contributing 93. Bangladesh ended the first innings with a 117-run lead that proved crucial as after the first 4 days , the docile batting pitch started to crumble on the last day . Even then, Pakistan was bowled out astonishingly for 146 in their second innings, managing to bat only 55.5 overs, compared to 113 overs in the first innings. This batting failure cost Babar's team dearly.