Pakistan crumble under pressure despite Abdullah Fazal’s 66; Nahid Rana bags five wickets for Bangladesh
DHAKA
Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 104 runs in the first match of the two-Test series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday. Resuming the final session at 116-3, Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in 52.5 overs while chasing Bangladesh’s 268-run target courtesy of an exceptional five-wicket haul by Nahid Rana.
The visitors suffered an early setback when Taskin Ahmed struck in the opening over, removing Imam-ul-Haq for just two runs off five deliveries. Despite the early blow, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal steadied the innings with a crucial 50-run partnership for the second wicket, easing pressure and rebuilding momentum.
However, the stand ended at 54 when Azan was dismissed for 15 off 33 balls after striking one boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, leaving Pakistan struggling at 57-2 in 12.1 overs. The situation worsened soon after when Nahid Rana removed skipper Shan Masood cheaply for two runs off five balls.
Taijul Islam struck early and got rid of Abdullah Fazal who was dismissed LBW after playing an outstanding knock of 66 off 113 deliveries comprising 11 fours and ending the 51-run stand alongside Salman Ali Agha. In the very next over, Taskin Ahmed struck and picked up his crucial second wicket by dismissing Salman Agha for 26 off 39 deliveries including one four, leaving the team struggling at 121-5 in 32.4 overs.
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel came to bat and piled up crucial runs from their bats and helped form a solid stand as they took the team’s total past the 150-run mark as well.However, it was Nahid Rana with the ball who picked up his second wicket of the match and dismissed Saud after scoring 15 off 32 deliveries, chipping in with two fours, leaving the team sitting at 152-6 in 44.3 overs.
Pakistan were in all sorts of trouble as Rana struck again and brilliantly clean bowled Rizwan after scoring 15 off 46 deliveries including one four.Wickets continued to fall for Pakistan as Taijul struck again and removed Hasan Ali LBW for one off seven deliveries. Nahid Rana then claimed his fourth wicket by dismissing Noman Ali for four runs. Rana wrapped up the innings by taking the wicket of Shaheen Afridi for a duck.
Nahid Rana starred with figures of 5/40 in 9.5 overs. Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with one wicket as well. Resuming the final day at 152-3 in 50.3 overs, Bangladesh continued to extend their advantage, adding 88 more runs while losing six wickets before declaring at 240-9, setting Pakistan a target of 268.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto once again led from the front with a composed 87 off 150 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. Mominul Haque supported with a solid 56 off 120 balls, including four fours.
