Pakistan’s resistance on the fifth day was not enough to prevent a 104-run defeat against Bangladesh in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday. Both sides will now play the second Test of the series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet from 16 May.
Chasing 268 to win, Pakistan resumed their second innings determined to build on the encouraging performances shown throughout the match. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers struck at regular intervals despite a fighting half-century from debutant Abdullah Fazal.
Pakistan suffered an early setback when Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed in the opening over, but Abdullah and Azan Awais attempted to settle the innings with a composed partnership. Fazal, continuing his impressive debut outing after scoring 60 in the first innings, played positively and struck 11 boundaries in his 66-run knock off 113 balls. He became only the sixth Pakistan Test batter to score 50-plus runs in both innings on debut.
The centurion in the first innings Azan contributed 15 before falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, while Salman Ali Agha added a useful 26 to keep Pakistan in contention during the middle session.
At 119 for three, Pakistan were still within reach of the target, but Bangladesh fought back through their pace-spin combination. Nahid Rana, who recently featured for Peshawar Zalmi – winners of HBL PSL 11 produced the decisive spell of the innings, removing Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi to finish with five wickets.
Pakistan’s lower order was unable to build meaningful partnerships as the visitors were bowled out for 163 in 52.5 overs.
Earlier, Bangladesh resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 152 for three declared on 240 for nine in 70.3 overs. For hosts, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 87.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali took three wickets apiece. Noman also took his 100th Test wicket today when he dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the 70th over. Left-arm spinner Noman became the third fastest spinner in Pakistan to take 100 Test wickets. He achieved the feat in 22 Tests.
Scores in brief:
Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 104 runs at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium
Bangladesh 413 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 101, Mominul Haque 91, Mushfiqur Rahim 71; Mohammad Abbas 5-92, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-113) and 240-9 dec, 70.3 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 87, Mominul Haque 56; Hasan Ali 3-52, Noman Ali 3-76, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-54)
Pakistan 386 (Azan Awais 103, Abdullah Fazal 60, Mohammad Rizwan 59, Salman Agha 58; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-102) and 163 all out, 52.5 overs (Abdullah Fazal 66, Salman Ali Agha 26; Nahid Rana 5-40, Taijul Islam 2-22, Taskin Ahmed 2-40)
Player of the match – Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)
Second Test – 16-20 May at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
