Bangladesh clinched a historic 2-0 series victory over Pakistan by winning the second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, marking their first-ever series triumph against the hosts.
The Bengal Tigers chased down a target of 185 runs on the final day, securing a six-wicket win in Rawalpindi as Pakistan suffered yet another Test defeat under captain Shan Masood.
This triumph was spearheaded by veteran cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, who remained unbeaten with scores of 22* and 21* respectively.
Their composed partnership sealed Bangladesh’s landmark series win, as they registered their first-ever Test series victory over Pakistan.
Bangladesh’s run chase was off to a strong start, with opener Zakir Hasan smashing a quickfire 40 off 39 balls before being bowled by Mir Hamza.
Despite losing two more wickets, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and Mominul Haque (34) ensured that Bangladesh stayed on course before the veteran duo of Mushfiqur and Shakib finished the innings.
Earlier, Pakistan’s second innings ended at 172, courtesy of a destructive bowling performance by Hasan Mahmud, who took his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Bangladesh’s bowlers had earlier reduced Pakistan to 9/2, but a gritty 43 by Mohammad Rizwan and a vital unbeaten 47 by Salman Ali Agha pushed Pakistan’s lead to 184.
However, it wasn’t enough to stop the Bengal Tigers, who resumed the final day at 42/0 and emphatically chased down the target to complete a memorable series win.
Pakistan has now lost 5 Test matches in a row and this is their second whitewash in red-ball cricket at home soil.