Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test in Dhaka after fast bowler Nahid Rana ripped through the visitors’ batting lineup with a decisive five-wicket haul on the final day.
Chasing 268 for victory, Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in their second innings despite a fighting 66 from debutant Abdullah Fazal. Nahid Rana produced a fiery spell of pace bowling, finishing with figures of 5-40 from 9.5 overs, while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam claimed two wickets each.
The victory marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive Test win over Pakistan following their 2-0 series sweep in 2024.
Pakistan resumed the chase needing stability after losing an early wicket before lunch, but Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout the day.
Fazal briefly counterattacked with an aggressive innings featuring 11 boundaries, becoming only the sixth Pakistan batter to register half-centuries in both innings of a debut Test. He shared crucial partnerships and looked set to frustrate Bangladesh before Taijul trapped him shortly after tea.
Nahid Rana then dismantled the middle and lower order, removing captain Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan during a devastating spell that swung the match decisively in Bangladesh’s favor.
Earlier, Bangladesh added valuable runs on the fifth morning after resuming their second innings overnight. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 87, while Mominul Haque contributed 56 as the hosts declared at 240 for nine, setting Pakistan a challenging target.
Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali impressed with 3-52, while Noman Ali claimed key wickets, including that of Shanto, who narrowly missed out on a century after attempting an ambitious reverse sweep.
Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling effort, combined with crucial contributions from the batters, ensured the hosts closed out an emphatic victory in the series opener.
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 30 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 1997.
