Bangladesh Create History in Rawalpindi, Clinch Maiden Test Win Over Pakistan After 21 Years

Bangladesh etched their name in the history books on Sunday as they secured their first-ever Test win against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. In what was their 14th attempt in over two decades, Najmul Hossain Shanto's side triumphed by 10 wickets, marking a monumental achievement in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey.

Match Recap: A Historic Feat

Opting to bowl first, Bangladesh struck early, reducing Pakistan to a precarious 16 for 3 on the opening day. Despite the shaky start, Pakistan’s middle-order batters Saud Shakeel (141) and Mohammad Rizwan (171) rescued the hosts with rearguard centuries, propelling the first-innings total to 448 for 6 declared.

Bangladesh, in response, showcased their resilience with a robust batting performance. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim led the charge with a marathon knock of 191 off 341 balls, while contributions from Shadman Islam (93) and Mehidy Hasan (77) took Bangladesh to an imposing 565, giving them a crucial 117-run lead.

Pakistan Crumbles Under Pressure

On the final day, Pakistan resumed their innings at 23 for 1, but their hopes of salvaging the match quickly unraveled. The morning session saw a stunning collapse as Pakistan lost their top and middle order, slipping to 104 for 5. The spin duo of Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan capitalized on the crumbling pitch, sharing seven wickets between them to dismiss Pakistan for just 146.

Bangladesh Chase Down the Target Comfortably

With only 30 runs needed for victory, Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan made light work of the chase, achieving the target within seven overs without losing a wicket, sealing a 10-wicket win and scripting history in the process.

Breaking a 21-Year Wait

This victory marks Bangladesh’s first Test win over Pakistan since their inaugural clash in 2001. In the previous 13 meetings, Pakistan dominated with 12 wins, while one match ended in a draw. With this win, Bangladesh has now defeated nine of the 11 Test-playing nations they have faced, with victories against all except India and South Africa.

A Milestone in Bangladesh’s Test Journey

This win not only signifies a major breakthrough against Pakistan but also represents Bangladesh’s 20th Test win overall in 143 matches. Notably, this was their seventh victory away from home, with previous successes in the Caribbean, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.

Implications on the ICC World Test Championship

The victory also had significant ramifications in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 standings. Bangladesh, with their second win in five matches this cycle, leapfrogged Pakistan in the rankings. Pakistan’s fourth loss in six games this cycle dropped them to the eighth spot, with their points percentage (PCT) dwindling to 30.55%.

Bangladesh’s triumph in Rawalpindi stands as a testament to their growing strength and resilience in Test cricket, showcasing their potential to challenge top teams on the global stage.