Bangladesh secured a 104-run victory over Pakistan in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium after bowling the visitors out for 163 on the fifth day.
Chasing 268 for victory, Pakistan’s resistance was led by debutant Abdullah Fazal, who followed his first-innings 60 with a fighting 66 off 113 balls featuring 11 boundaries. The youngster became only the sixth Pakistan batter to score 50-plus runs in both innings on Test debut. Fellow debutant Azan Awais, who scored a century in the first innings, added 15 before falling to Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Pakistan looked competitive at 119 for 3, but Bangladesh turned the match around through a clinical bowling display led by fast bowler Nahid Rana. The pacer ripped through the middle and lower order, dismissing Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi to complete a decisive five-wicket haul.
Earlier, Bangladesh resumed their second innings on 152 for 3 and declared on 240 for 9, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scoring with 87. For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman picked up three wickets each, while Noman also reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets, becoming the third-fastest Pakistan spinner to achieve the feat in just 22 Tests.
The second and final Test of the series will begin on May 16 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Scores in brief: Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 104 runs at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium
Bangladesh 413 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 101, Mominul Haque 91, Mushfiqur Rahim 71; Mohammad Abbas 5-92, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-113) and 240-9 dec, 70.3 overs (Najmul Hossain Shanto 87, Mominul Haque 56; Hasan Ali 3-52, Noman Ali 3-76, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-54)
Pakistan 386 (Azan Awais 103, Abdullah Fazal 60, Mohammad Rizwan 59, Salman Agha 58; Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-102) and 163 all out, 52.5 overs (Abdullah Fazal 66, Salman Ali Agha 26; Nahid Rana 5-40, Taijul Islam 2-22, Taskin Ahmed 2-40)
Player of the match – Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)
