PAK vs BAN: The first match of the 2-match test series is being played in Rawalpindi between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Bangladesh came into the host nation early to prepare for their red ball series due to the unrest in their homeland.

The track of Rawalpindi seems likely for batters, as Pakistan were put to bat first with the openers and top-order struggling. Pakistan were struggling early with 16/3 in the first innings; however, the Pakistan middle order performed exceptionally well as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan made Bangladesh’s bowlers toil.

Shakeel scored a stunning 141 with Rizwan left not out on an unbeaten 171, as Pakistan declared their total for 448/6 in the first inning. Bangladesh saw the first day off without losing any wicket; however, the Pakistan bowlers struck early on Day 2. Though Sadman Islam and Mominul Haque gave stability to the Bangladesh innings.

Later, their most experienced batter and highest run-getter in red-ball cricket in the history of Bangladesh cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim, scripted history with an iconic innings of 191 on Pakistani soil. Litton Das, as well as Mehidy Hasan Miraz, also added important runs for the Bangladesh team as they ended their innings on a firm 565 all-out.

Bangladesh changes the course of the game on Day 5

Pakistan trailed by 117 runs when they came into bat on Day 4 itself and again took guard of their wicket early on. However, they faced early trouble again as their openers, skipper Masood and legendary batter Babar Azam, failed again in front of the Bangladesh pacers.

This time even Shakeel could not come to their rescue as Bangladesh’s best-ranked all-rounder, Shakib Al-Hasan, removed the batter for a duck. Rizwan kept his wicket and once again looked comfortable in his short yet subtle innings of 51 runs.

Though the rest of the Pakistani batting order, including their all-rounders and tailenders could not resist the Bangladeshi spinners, Shakib Al-Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Both the spinners shared 7 wickets between them, and Pakistan were all-out for just 146 runs.

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Pakistan led only by 29 runs, and hence they posted a target of 30 runs for the visitors. The Bangladesh batters came to chase the total with 50 overs remaining for Day 5 to end.

This registers Bangladesh’s first win against Pakistan in the history of the longest format of the game. Pakistan have won 12 of their 13 tests against Bangladesh with a single draw, and this undefeated streak now comes to an end.

Before this, Bangladesh had only won test matches against Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Ireland. However, the West Indies has been the only major side against whom Bangladesh have secured a test series win both in and away from home.

This win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi marks their third major victory on foreign soil, after a win against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2017 and against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui in 2022. This win stirs a surge of confidence for Bangladesh cricket.