An astonishing late-game collapse decided the opening Test in Dhaka on Tuesday, with Pakistan unable to hold on despite being on course to secure a draw. Chasing 268, Abdullah Fazal struck a stubborn 66 to keep the visitors alive, and Pakistan were three wickets down at tea. However, Nahid Rana produced an inspired five-wicket burst that swung the match decisively, as Shan Masood’s team slumped from there, losing seven wickets in the final session and eventually suffering a 104-run defeat. The result also left Pakistan 0-1 down in the two-match series.
Pakistan attempted to build fresh resistance after two earlier partnerships worth more than fifty runs had kept their chase feasible. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel then put together a 31-run stand for the sixth wicket, taking Pakistan to 152 for five. At that stage, they still required 116 runs, with half of their batting lineup yet to take the field.
During that stand, a stump microphone picked up a sharp exchange involving Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das and Rizwan. The moment came in the 38th over of Pakistan’s innings, when Litton appeared to mock Rizwan for reportedly trying to protect Pakistan’s image with a draw, despite, as he claimed, having a “bad” reputation in his home country. Litton was heard saying: “They are now trying to save the Test. They have no chance of winning. Rizwan’s reputation is really bad back in Pakistan. If he gets out trying to hit a big shot, he won’t even be able to set foot back in the country — his reputation is that bad.”
Rizwan, though, could not turn the situation in Pakistan’s favour as the chase unraveled in spectacular fashion. Pakistan lost their last five wickets for only 11 runs, with Rana taking four of those scalps to close on five for 40.
Earlier, Pakistan had been close to matching Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413. The visitors made 386 before rain erased substantial parts of Days 3 and 4. When action resumed on the final day, Bangladesh batted with intent and then declared at 240 for 9, setting Pakistan a target of 268.
For Pakistan, the loss carried historic weight. It was their first-ever Test defeat in Bangladesh, having previously won seven of their eight matches there, with the remaining game ending level. The result also represented Bangladesh’s third successive Test win over Pakistan, following their 2-0 series triumph in 2024. With this setback, Pakistan became just the second side in Test history—after Zimbabwe—to lose three straight Tests against Bangladesh.
The second and final Test of the series is scheduled to start in Sylhet on Saturday.
