Bangladesh scripted a remarkable turnaround in the second Test against Pakistan to seal the two-match series in Rawalpindi.
Bangladesh were reeling at one stage at 26-6 in response to Pakistan’s 274 in their first innings. Litton Das, at seven, made a counterattacking 138, with assistance from Mehidy Hasan’s 78, to take the visitors to 262. The duo stitched a 162-run partnership together, and given the position they were in, Bangladesh would be proud of their batting display.
Bangladesh pacers create history
Inspired by the batters, Bangladesh bowlers breathed fire in the third innings, spearhead by Hasan Mahmud, who took 5-43, becoming the first from his nation to claim a five-wicket haul against Pakistan.
Mahmud’s partners in crime, Nahid Rana (4-44) and Taskin Ahmed (1-40), all played their bit, skittling out Pakistan for 172. This was the first time Bangladesh's fast bowlers claimed all ten wickets in an innings.
Sarfaraz Ahmed stepped in as the wicketkeeper instead of Mohammad Rizwan, who was initially part of the playing XI.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 3, 2024
Read why ➡️ https://t.co/ZGVGKfmMs3 pic.twitter.com/QjJ7rXnCt5
Bangladesh needed 185 to script a historic 2-0 series whitewash. Openers Zakir Hasan (40 off 39) and Shadman Islam (24) gave the tourists a rapid start, scoring 58 in 12.2 overs.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and former skipper Mominul Haque (34) chipped in to take them closer to the target. On the other hand, Pakistan took wickets but never threatened to run down the opposition's batting lineup, something which was needed to defend the paltry total.
Veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, two of the longest-serving cricketers of Bangladesh, quite fittingly finished unbeaten, taking their team over the line.
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