MIRPUR: Nahid Rana produced a sensational fast-bowling display to guide Bangladesh to a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan on the fifth and final day of the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The young pacer completed a memorable five-wicket haul by dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi for a 13-ball duck to wrap up Pakistan’s innings at 163 while defending a target of 268.
Nahid finished as the standout performer for Bangladesh, while Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam claimed two wickets apiece. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also chipped in with one scalp.
Pakistan’s resistance was led by debutant Abdullah Fazal, who top-scored with 66, but the visitors suffered a dramatic collapse in the final session.
Fazal, who resumed after Tea on 66, departed in the very first over of the session after falling to Taijul Islam without adding to his score.
In the next over, Taskin Ahmed removed Salman Ali Agha for 26, reducing Pakistan to 121-5 and putting Bangladesh firmly in control.
Senior batters Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to steady the innings with a brief partnership and looked set to drag Pakistan back into the contest.
However, Nahid Rana struck in consecutive overs to dismiss both batters after they scored 15 runs each, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes of survival.
The visitors then lost their final three wickets for just 10 runs as Bangladesh sealed an emphatic victory.
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Earlier, Pakistan had reached Tea at 116-3, still requiring 152 runs for victory, with Fazal and Salman unbeaten on 66 and 21 respectively.
Before the interval, Fazal and fellow debutant Azan Awais had added a valuable 54-run partnership after Lunch to revive Pakistan’s chase.
Azan, who had scored a century in the first innings, was dismissed for 15 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood failed to make an impact and was trapped by Nahid Rana after scoring just two runs.
Agha then joined Fazal, and they ensured that Pakistan went to Tea without any further damage.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed the chase in the second session, needing 262 more runs with nine wickets in hand after losing Imam-ul-Haq early to Taskin Ahmed.
Bangladesh had declared their second innings at 240-9 after captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with a composed 87 off 150 deliveries.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali picked up three wickets each in Bangladesh’s second innings, while Shaheen Afridi claimed two scalps.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim added just six runs to his overnight score before Hasan Ali dismissed him for 22.
All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a brisk 24 off 27 balls, while the lower-order failed to offer significant resistance.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali and Noman Ali claimed three wickets each to keep the target within reach. Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two wickets, while veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas contributed with one scalp.
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