Nahid Rana rattles Pakistan as Bangladesh seal commanding 104-run win in first Test

Bangladesh seal maiden home Test win over Pakistan, move to sixth in WTC 

Pakistan equal unwanted Zimbabwe record in Test history with three consecutive defeats

against Bangladesh Tigers Pakistan slip to seventh

DHAKA: Bangladesh national cricket team produced a historic performance to defeat Pakistan national cricket team by 104 runs in the opening Test of the two-match series, securing their maiden home Test victory against the visitors at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Tuesday

Resuming the final session at 116-3, Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in 52.5 overs while chasing Bangladesh's 268-run target courtesy of an exceptional five-wicket haul by Nahid Rana.

The result pushed Pakistan down to seventh place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 standings, with Bangladesh moving up to sixth, while also consigning Pakistan to an unwanted piece of history. It marked their third consecutive Test defeat against Bangladesh, following back-to-back losses in Rawalpindi in 2024 and the latest setback in Mirpur, extending the losing streak from August 2024 to May 2026. 

With this sequence, Pakistan have equalled an unwanted record held by Zimbabwe, who also suffered three consecutive Test defeats against Bangladesh during their 2014 tour, including a 3-0 series whitewash.

The visitors suffered an early setback when Taskin Ahmed struck in the opening over, removing Imam-ul-Haq for just two runs off five deliveries. Despite the early blow, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal steadied the innings with a crucial 50-run partnership for the second wicket, easing pressure and rebuilding momentum. However, the stand ended at 54 when Azan was dismissed for 15 off 33 balls after striking one boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, leaving Pakistan struggling at 57-2 in 12.1 overs.

The situation worsened soon after when Nahid Rana removed skipper Shan Masood cheaply for two runs off five balls. Taijul Islam struck early and got rid of Abdullah Fazal who was dismissed LBW after playing an outstanding knock of 66 off 113 deliveries comprising 11 fours and ending the 51-run stand alongside Salman Ali Agha.

In the very next over, Taskin Ahmed struck and picked up his crucial second wicket by dismissing Salman Agha for 26 off 39 deliveries including one four, leaving the team struggling at 121-5 in 32.4 overs. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel came to bat and piled up crucial runs from their bats and helped form a solid stand as they took the team's total past the 150-run mark as well.

However, it was Nahid Rana with the ball who picked up his second wicket of the match and dismissed Saud after scoring 15 off 32 deliveries, chipping in with two fours, leaving the team sitting at 152-6 in 44.3 overs. Pakistan were in all sorts of trouble as Rana struck again and brilliantly clean bowled Rizwan after scoring 15 off 46 deliveries including one four.

Wickets continued to fall for Pakistan as Taijul struck again and removed Hasan Ali LBW for one off seven deliveries. Nahid Rana then claimed his fourth wicket by dismissing Noman Ali for four runs.

Rana wrapped up the innings by taking the wicket of Shaheen Afridi for a duck. Nahid Rana starred with figures of 5/40 in 9.5 overs. Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets while Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with one wicket as well.