Rana’s 147kph thunderbolts left the world-class Pakistan batters searching for answers. The victory marks a significant milestone for the Tigers, proving that their fast-bowling arsenal is now capable of winning matches
Labonno chowdhury : Bangladesh’s pace revolution reached a new peak in Dhaka as Nahid Rana’s lethal five-wicket burst dismantled Pakistan to seal a crushing final-day win. In a session that will be remembered for its sheer intensity, Rana’s 147kph thunderbolts left the world-class Pakistan batters searching for answers. The victory marks a significant milestone for the Tigers, proving that their fast-bowling arsenal is now capable of winning matches even on the traditional spin-friendly tracks of Mirpur.
Bangladesh produced a rampant final-day surge in Mirpur, overwhelming Pakistan by 104 runs in the opening Test after Nahid Rana unleashed a devastating spell of fast bowling, ripping the visitors apart in the fading light. The victory carried added weight for Bangladesh, who have now beaten Pakistan in three consecutive Tests following their historic 2-0 series sweep in 2024.
On a tense fifth evening at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, the hosts combined discipline, aggression and nerve to force the match decisively in their favour. Nahid was the tormentor-in-chief. Charging in with hostility and rhythm, the young quick tore through Pakistan’s middle and lower order to finish with a superb 5-40 from just 9.5 overs.
Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam claimed two wickets apiece, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in again after his first-innings 5-for.Pakistan’s resistance revolved around debutant Abdullah Fazal, who showed admirable composure amid the collapse around him. After Imam-ul-Haq fell before lunch, Fazal counterattacked confidently, driving and cutting with authority. He struck Miraz for successive boundaries and even survived a nervy passage against Nahid when edges flew past the slips.
But Bangladesh kept tightening the screws. Miraz struck a crucial blow when Azan Awais, who had scored a century in the first innings, was bowled for 15 by a delivery that held its line before crashing into the stumps. Soon afterwards, Rana dismissed captain Shan Masood for only 2, leaving Pakistan wobbling at 68 for 3.
Fazal raised a gritty half-century with an upper cut off Ebadot Hossain, becoming only the sixth Pakistan batter to score fifties in both innings of a debut Test.Yet Bangladesh never allowed the momentum to drift.Immediately after tea, Taijul produced a sharp spinner that turned into Fazal’s defensive push, with the review confirming the dismissal. Fazal departed for a determined 66 off 113 balls, including eleven boundaries.
From there, Bangladesh surged relentlessly towards victory. Taskin removed Salman Ali Agha with a sharp catch at second slip, brilliantly held by Shadman Islam despite injuring himself in the process.Earlier, Bangladesh had reignited the contest with an adventurous morning approach.
Adding 88 quick runs despite losing six wickets, they stretched Pakistan’s target and ensured the game would move deep into the final day.Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s fluent 87 stood out, though he narrowly missed a landmark twin-century feat before falling lbw to Noman Ali attempting an audacious reverse sweep.
