Nahid Rana struck with a decisive burst of pace as Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 104 runs in a rain-affected first Test in Dhaka on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The match, played at Mirpur, swung dramatically on the final day: Pakistan’s chase began in a fighting mood before collapsing, ultimately finishing at 163 all out after initially reaching 119 for 3.
How the chase unfolded
- Pakistan were set a revised target of 268 to win and were still well placed at 119 for 3 when the contest looked competitive.
- Debutant Abdullah Fazal steadied the innings with a calm, composed knock of 66, briefly keeping Pakistan in the hunt.
- Fazal was dismissed in the early part of the final session after Taijul Islam produced a sharp turning delivery that trapped him lbw; the decision was upheld after a review.
- After Fazal’s wicket fell, Pakistan’s momentum slipped quickly, and the chase unraveled in a hurry.
- Salman Ali Agha followed in the very next over, edging to slip, further tilting the game decisively toward Bangladesh.
- From there, Rana took full control, tightening the screws and striking repeatedly to break the resistance.
- Pakistan’s innings continued to deteriorate, and despite the earlier counter, they were eventually bowled out for 163.
Rana’s decisive spell
Although Rana conceded runs at the start of his spell, he returned with a lethal tempo and precision. He removed Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali, Noman Ali, and Shaheen Afridi, turning the final phase into a procession for Bangladesh. One standout moment came with a 147 kph nip-backer that accounted for Rizwan, underlining Rana’s growing status as Bangladesh’s rising pace force.
Bangladesh’s platform and Pakistan’s earlier setbacks
Before Pakistan began their pursuit, Bangladesh had built a challenging total anchored by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 87. The pitch, especially on the final day, provided enough assistance for the bowlers to make the chase difficult. Pakistan’s response started cautiously after losing Imam-ul-Haq before lunch, but Fazal’s counterattack briefly restored belief and kept the target within sight for a period.
Final-day collapse seals the result
Bangladesh’s bowling maintained relentless pressure, and once the key breakthrough arrived, the innings fell away. Five wickets were taken in the closing session, completing a memorable win for Bangladesh in Mirpur. The result also extends Bangladesh’s dominance in this matchup, marking their third successive Test victory over Pakistan and their first home triumph against them, reflecting a fresh wave of confidence in their red-ball cricket.
