An unwanted Pakistan Test record sealed as Bangladesh dominate the first Test in Dhaka

Pakistan have hit rock bottom in Test cricket. A 104-run defeat to Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium has etched an unwanted Pakistan Test record into the history books. The visitors became only the second team after Zimbabwe to lose three consecutive Tests against Bangladesh. Moreover, this follows a 2-0 series whitewash Pakistan suffered at the hands of the Tigers just last year.

Pakistan Sink to a New Low After Bangladesh Inflict Historic Defeat

Bangladesh sealed the win on the fifth and final day. Fast bowler Nahid Rana was the destroyer-in-chief. He finished with a five-wicket haul, dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi for a 13-ball duck to bowl Pakistan out for 163. Bangladesh had set a target of 268, and in the end, it proved far too many.

Pakistan did show brief resistance. Debutant Abdullah Fazal top-scored with a gutsy 66. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan also steadied the innings with a partnership that gave the visitors a flicker of hope. However, Nahid struck in consecutive overs to remove both batters, each out for 15. That was effectively the end of the contest. Pakistan then lost their last three wickets for just 10 runs, and Bangladesh celebrated an emphatic victory.

The result also deepened the cloud over Shan Masood’s captaincy. He now shares the joint second-most defeats as Pakistan Test captain, with 11 losses in just 15 matches. Only Misbah-ul-Haq has more Test defeats as Pakistan skipper, though Misbah led the side across 56 matches. The comparison, therefore, makes for uncomfortable reading.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam chipped in with two wickets each. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also contributed with one. Still, this was Nahid Rana’s day entirely.

The two sides meet again in the second Test, starting May 16 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan will need a serious response.