Bangladesh make history with first home Test victory over Pakistan

Bangladesh secured a historic 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Mirpur on Tuesday, claiming their first-ever home Test win against the visitors and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Chasing a target of 268, Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in their second innings. The turning point came in the final session of the fifth day, when Bangladesh’s pace bowler Nahid Rana dismantled the visitors’ resistance. 

After Abdullah Shafique and Salman Ali Agha had built a threatening partnership, Rana produced a sharp inswinger at 147 kmph to bowl Mohammad Rizwan. He followed up by quickly dismissing Hasan Ali and Noman Ali, before wrapping up the innings by removing Shaheen Shah Afridi. Nahid finished with impressive figures of 5 for 40 – his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Pakistan had reached 116 for 3 at tea, with Abdullah Shafique unbeaten on 66 and Salman Ali Agha on 21, adding an unbroken 48-run stand for the fourth wicket. 

However, Bangladesh struck twice in the first two overs after the interval. Taijul Islam trapped Shafique lbw for 66 following a successful review, ending a dangerous stand, while Taskin Ahmed claimed the wicket of Salman Agha, caught in the slips for 26. From that point, Pakistan’s hopes faded rapidly.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh had resumed their second innings on 152 for 3, holding a lead of 179 runs. 

Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto went on to score 87 before falling, while contributions came from Mominul Haque (56), Mushfiqur Rahim (22), Mehedi Hasan Miraz (24) and others. 

The hosts declared at 240 for 8, setting Pakistan the challenging target.

In the first innings, Bangladesh posted 413 while Pakistan replied with 386, giving the home side a narrow 27-run lead.

The win marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh, who had faced Pakistan in 15 previous Test matches and won only two – both on Pakistani soil in 2024. This victory in Mirpur is their first against Pakistan on home turf.