Bangladesh recorded a memorable Test series win over Pakistan for the first time. It was also their first Test series win away from home since 2009 - here are the factors that led to the historic victory.
The emergence of the young pacers
In the second Test, Bangladesh's pacers achieved a remarkable feat by claiming all ten wickets for the first time in their history. Overall, in the series, the Bangladeshi seamers outperformed their Pakistani counterparts, with Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana leading the charge.
Bangladesh's pacers took 21 wickets at an average of 29.71, while Pakistan's managed only 19 wickets at an average of 34.57. More significantly, Bangladesh's strike rate was far superior, claiming a wicket every 48.4 deliveries compared to Pakistan's 64.5 balls. In the second Test, Bangladesh's bowlers further improved, taking a wicket every five-and-a-half overs, while Pakistan's pacers had a strike rate of 49.2.
Shakib Al Hasan 4⃣
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 3, 2024
Mushfiqur Rahim 9⃣
Mehidy Hasan Miraz❓
One Bangladesh player received a perfect 10 for their performances against Pakistan! 🇧🇩
Full ratings ➡️ https://t.co/uq2JOJ6Xrx pic.twitter.com/fcelfCi2QP
The success of Bangladesh's pace attack is even more impressive considering that it was led by relatively inexperienced bowlers. Both Mahmud and Rana had only played three Tests each and were making their first appearance away from home.
The contrast between Bangladesh's performance and that of Pakistan's famed quicks was striking. Pakistan's bowlers, known for their pace and skill, failed to deliver as expected, leading to the omission of a couple of senior players in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah for the second match.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz steps out from Shakib's shadow
Mehidy Hasan Miraz got full marks in our player rankings, highlighting the kind of all-round impact he had in this series. His performance was also crucial to Bangladesh for larger reasons - Shakib Al Hasan, arguably the country’s greatest all-rounder, has not prioritised Test cricket of late, playing just over 50 percent of the games Bangladesh have played in the last three years. He has also not been as effective as before in this period, averaging 33.88 with the bat and 33.33 with the ball with a strike rate of 75.9.
In such a scenario, the team needed an heir to step up and take over, which is exactly what Miraz proceeded to do. He picked up 10 wickets in the series, including a five-wicket haul in the second Test. He also grabbed four wickets in the first Test as Pakistan were dismissed for 146.
ICYMI Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-for helped bowl out Pakistan for 274 runs in the first innings at Rawalpindi.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 31, 2024
Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/rFnp0PlK9R#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/VZHrjHPqni
Miraz also made 77 and 78 in the two games, playing a pivotal role in ensuring Pakistan did not get too ahead of the game. Shakib, who has been in the news for his off-field activities in recent years, was a shadow of his old self, on the other hand, picking five wickets and registering scores of 15 and 2 before an unbeaten 21 took his team home in the second game.
Shakib is already 37 years old and it is likely his Test match appearances remain sporadic, but in Miraz, Bangladesh have an almost like-for-like replacement.
The veteran batters take responsibility
While the young pacers impressed, it was the experienced batters who stole the show and showed their importance in the side. Fifties from Mominul Haque, Miraz and Litton Das along with a knock of 191 by Mushfiqur Rahim was instrumental in the side taking a huge first-innings lead in the first Test, while Das and Miraz were the ones to take charge in the first innings of the second Test. Rahim and Shakib then put on an unbeaten stand in the second innings, taking their team over the line.
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Not only did the senior batters rescue Bangladesh from trouble, but they often helped the team earn back the lost advantage. They seized the opportunity and converted their starts to take the game far away from Pakistan, playing their parts to perfection.
Pressure situations brought out the best in the players
The major difference between the two sides was how they fared under pressure. While Pakistan constantly faltered, both with their tactics and performances when they were under the pump, Bangladesh, on the other hand, flourished.
It started in the first innings with the bat - Bangladesh were up against a steep total, and Pakistan had sent out an air of confidence by declaring first up. The visitors were reduced to 53-2 and were 218-5 at one stage, still needing 220 runs to avoid a deficit. The lower order put up a fight, and there was no looking back.
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A worse situation arose in the next game when Bangladesh were 26-6 and the dream of a series victory looked far away. Das and Miraz took the score to 191 without the loss of any more wickets. They were eventually all out for 262, conceding only a 12-run lead.
On both occasions, the situation was dire but just when a collapse looked imminent, a group of players got together to take the team away from danger, which is what made the win even more special.
It also reflects what is happening in Bangladesh at the moment. With the country reeling under protests, the determination shown by the squad would have inspired millions back home, motivating them to rise up from the turmoil.
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