PAK vs BAN: Bangladeshs cricket team achieved a momentous 2-0 clean sweep over Pakistan in the Test series on Tuesday. This is their first-ever series victory against their regional rivals. Chasing a target of 185 runs on Day 5 of the second Test, Bangladeshs top order displayed resilience and determination, ultimately securing the win in the second session. Veteran cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan played pivotal roles in guiding their team to victory, cementing Bangladeshs second overseas series win, the first being against the West Indies in 2009.Strong start by Bangladeshs openersBangladeshs intent was clear from the start of Day 5, with Shadman Islam confidently driving Mohammad Ali for a boundary off just the second ball. However, Pakistans pacers responded with disciplined bowling, challenging the Bangladeshi openers. Despite some near misses, including a bottom edge from Zakir Hasan that went unnoticed by the Pakistani fielders, Bangladesh managed to reach their first fifty-plus opening stand since December 2022. Zakir contributed a solid 40 before falling to Mir Hamza, who bowled a delivery that held its line and beat the outside edge to crash into the stumps.Pakistan 🆚 Bangladesh | 2nd Test | Day 05Bangladesh won the match by 6 wickets and the series 2-0 (2) 💥👏PC: PCB#BCB #Cricket #BDCricket #Bangladesh #PAKvBAN #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/oyvyXZH1BV— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 3, 2024Pakistans tight bowling slows down BangladeshPakistans bowlers kept things tight, making run-scoring difficult for the Bangladesh batsmen. Shadman Islam, after surviving a dropped catch by Agha Salman, attempted to break the shackles with a few boundaries. However, his innings was cut short when he misjudged a delivery from Khurram Shahzad, offering a simple catch to mid-off.Partnerships steer Bangladesh towards victoryNajmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque then took control, forging a crucial partnership that kept Bangladesh on course. Despite a slow start, the pair grew in confidence, finding gaps and collecting boundaries to reduce the target. By lunch, Bangladesh had brought the target down to 63, thanks to a 50-plus partnership between the two.In the second session, as rain threatened to interrupt play, Pakistan maintained pressure with tight bowling. However, Najmul injected urgency into the innings with a reverse sweep for four off Agha Salman. His dismissal, after a well-fought 57-run stand with Mominul, brought Mushfiqur Rahim to the crease. Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan then took charge, steadily inching towards the target. Shakib, after a cautious start, found his rhythm, hitting a straight six off Abrar Ahmed, who was twice warned for stepping on the danger area of the pitch.Rahim, Shakib seal the winAs the weather threatened to turn, Rahim and Shakib accelerated the scoring. A top-edged pull from Rahim for four and a boundary from Shakib off Abrar brought the target within touching distance. With a boundary from Shakib, Bangladesh reached 185/4, sparking jubilant celebrations in the dressing room and sealing a clinical victory.Das-Mirazs heroicsBangladeshs victory was built on the strong foundation laid by Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz during Days 2 and 3. After a rain-affected first day, Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for 274, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking 5 for 61. Bangladeshs reply started disastrously at 26/6, but Litton Dass heroic 138 and a 165-run partnership with Mehidy (78) helped them close the gap. Hasan Mahmuds maiden five-wicket haul and Nahid Ranas career-best 4 for 44 on Day 4 then restricted Pakistan to 172 in their second innings, setting up Bangladeshs successful chase on the final day.Brief ScorecardPakistan: 274 (Saim Ayub 58, Shan Masood 57 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 5-61, Taskin Ahmed 3-57) & 172 (Agha Salman 47*, Mohammad Rizwan 43 Hasan Mahmud 5-43, Nahid Rana 4-44)Bangladesh: 262 (Litton Das 138, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 78 Khurram Shahzad 6-90, Agha Salman 2-13) & 185/4 (Zakir Hasan 40, Najmul Hossain Shanto 38 Agha Salman 1-17) won by 6 wickets.
