NEWS
Follow UsPakistan lost their first-ever Test against Bangladesh on Sunday (August 25) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. At the end of Day 4, when the Test was moving towards a mundane draw, this was certainly not the likely result.
After Pakistan scored 448/6 in their first innings, Bangladesh responded brilliantly with the bat, scoring 565. The 117 lead proved critical for Tigers. After losing Saim Ayub early in the third session of the fourth day, Pakistan found that the pitch had developed crack and rough areas on the fifth day. Bangladeshi spinners got the ball to turn and bounce.
However, Pakistani batters had themselves to blame. Skipper Shan Masood and Babar Azam both looked out of form and got out without scoring much. It was clear that Azam and Abdullah Shafique had shut shop on the morning of Day 5. However, Azam chopped one of Nahid Rana's deliveries back on to his stumps. This began the collapse for Pakistan which saw them being folded for just 146 runs in their second innings.
Only Mohammad Rizwan could offer some resistance with the bat and scored a fifty. Pakistani batters got out trying to release the pressure and failed to apply themselves, batting for a draw on a pitch that was never unplayable.
Earlier, in the second innings of the Test, Mushfiqur Rahim (191), Shadman Islam (93), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77) led the Bangladeshi effort with the bat and kept Pakistan in the field for 167.3 overs.
The home team could only begin their second innings late on Day 4. It was extremely tough on their four pace bowlers as they bowled 117.3 overs combined in two days under the Rawalpindi sun.
With Pakistan managing only 146 in their second innings, Bangladesh needed just 30 runs to win their first-ever Test in Pakistan. Openers Shadman and Zakir Hasan chased down the runs to register a historic 10-wicket win for the visitors.
Apart from being their first victory in Pakistan, this is only Bangladesh's second Test victory away from home in the subcontinent. The first came in 2017 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
This is also only the fourth time in Pakistan’s Test history that they have lost a Test match after declaring their first innings of the game. Only one of those losses came at home for the Men In Green, which was in 1961 against England in Lahore. Interestingly, though, this is Pakistan's first loss at home by ten wickets.
Meanwhile, this defeat against Bangladesh was Pakistan's ninth consecutive instance of failing to win a home Test. Only Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have gone longer without a victory at home.
The second Test of this two-match series begins on August 30 at the same venue.
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