2-0: Bangladesh humiliate Pakistan for historic Test series win
Bangladesh celebrated a historic first-ever Test series win over Pakistan and a 2-0 clean sweep with a six-wicket victory in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Shakib Al Hasan hit the winning boundary 25 minutes before the tea break on the fifth and final day to spark jubilation in the away dressing room.
A handful of Bangladesh supporters waving the nation’s flag were also there to see their country win only a third away series in 33 attempts. Shakib remained unbeaten on 21 and Mushfiqur Rahim was on 22 as the visitors painstakingly overhauled the tricky 185-run target.
Openers Zakir Hasan (40) and Shadman Islam (24), plus skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and Mominul Haque (34), all put runs on the board to help Bangladesh inch their way to a famous win.
Pakistan scored 274 and 172 in the second Test while Bangladesh recovered from 26-6 to make 262 in their first innings. Litton Das’s 138 rescued Bangladesh with the bat before fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud (5-43) and Nahid Rana (4-44) wrecked Pakistan on Monday with career-best figures.
Bangladesh won the first Test by 10 wickets – also in
Rawalpindi – for their first victory over Pakistan in 14 matches. Najmul described the series win as momentous and a heroes’ welcome awaits when they get home to a country which recently saw protests and the overthrow of former premier Sheikh Hasina.
“It means a lot to Bangladesh cricket and to all the players,” said the captain. “I cannot express the feelings but I can say that we all are very happy and overjoyed.
“When we came here everybody was determined to do something special and we wanted to win. I am happy that everyone did his job to the best and we have won a historic series.”