BD outclass Pak to sweep Test series

The Men in Green have now lost five Tests in a row

KARACHI:

Pakistan cricket hit new low as they suffered a series sweep at the hands of Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a 185-run target, Zakir Hasan (40), Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) and Mominul Haque (34) made valuable contributions as the visitors registered an emphatic six-wicket victory.

It was an emotional moment for the Bangladesh cricket fans and especially a moment to savour in the careers of veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, who were present at the crease when they achieved the historic feat.

"Winning the Test series against Pakistan on their soil is a historic feat for Bangladesh and a defining moment of my career," said skipper Shanto who dedicated the victory to his nation.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have had a miserable past year as they have now lost five straight Test matches - three against Australia and now two against Bangladesh in the ongoing World Test Championship.

There was a sense of calmness with which Bangladesh went about achieving their third-highest fourth-innings chase with their hero Shakib hitting the winning runs.

Just for perspective, this is indeed a historic feat in Bangladesh cricket history because it was their only fourth Test win in seven years on foreign soil and just their third-ever overseas Test series victory.

As for Pakistan, there is nothing but more misery. Since a win against South Africa in early February 2021, they have drawn four Tests and lost six, which includes series defeats to Australia, England and now Bangladesh.

Reacting to Pakistan's defeat, captain Shan Masood said that they need to work on their fitness.

"We played four pacers in the first Test. The reason behind that was to manage workload. However, we had fitness issues then," he said.

"In this game we went with three fast bowlers, but unfortunately, one bowler was injured in each innings of the game.

"So during these lengthy breaks of four to six months, without Test cricket, I think we need to work on our fitness as well as individual we have to be ready for the task," he added.

It was also Shan Masood's fifth successive loss as Pakistan captain since taking over from Babar Azam for last year's tour to Australia, while it was also a forgettable start for Jason Gillespie as Pakistan's red-ball head coach.

With Pakistan's next Test against England at home on 7 October, Bangladesh have left Pakistan with a mountain to climb.

The series loss has also ended Pakistan's hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's next June. After seven Tests, Pakistan is languishing eighth in the nine-team table with 16 points.

Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 42 for no loss, Bangladesh went for lunch at 122 for two and wrapped up the series a stroke before tea as rain stayed away whole day.

In the first session's play, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam were the batters to be dismissed, falling to Mir Hamza and Khurran Shahzad, respectively. Zakir was bowled on 40 after starting the day at 31, while Shadman added 15 runs to his overnight score of nine to depart after contributing 24 runs.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (38) then added a 57 runs partnership for the third wicket with Mominul to put Bangladesh on a course for a comfortable victory.

Litton Das, for his 138 runs in the first innings after Bangladesh had plummeted to 26 for six and six dismissals, was adjudged player of the match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz for his 155 runs in two innings and 10 wickets in the series was declared player of the series.