Bangladesh outplay Pakistan in Dhaka Test to go 1-0 up in series
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 104 runs in the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Chasing a target of 268, Pakistan resumed the final session at 116-3 but collapsed for 163 in 52.5 overs as pacer Nahid Rana took five wickets. Pakistan’s innings got off to a poor start when Taskin Ahmed dismissed Imam-ul-Haq for two in the very first over. After the early setback, Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal rebuilt the innings with a steady 50-run partnership for the second wicket. The stand was broken on 54 when Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Azan for 15 off 33 balls, reducing Pakistan to 57-2. Soon after, Nahid Rana struck to send captain Shan Masood back for just two runs. Taijul Islam then trapped Abdullah Fazal LBW after the batter played a fighting knock of 66 from 113 deliveries, which included 11 boundaries. His dismissal ended a 51-run stand with Salman Ali Agha. In the following over, Taskin Ahmed struck again to remove Salman Agha for 26 off 39 balls, leaving Pakistan reeling at 121-5 in 32.4 overs. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel attempted to revive the chase with a useful partnership that pushed the total beyond 150. However, Nahid Rana returned to dismiss Saud for 15, before clean bowling Rizwan for a 15-run contribution. Pakistan’s lower order offered little resistance as Taijul Islam removed Hasan Ali for one. At the same time, Nahid Rana dismissed Noman Ali for four and wrapped up the innings by sending Shaheen Shah Afridi back for a duck. Nahid Rana finished with outstanding figures of 5-40 in 9.5 overs. Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed claimed two wickets each, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up one scalp. Earlier, Bangladesh resumed the final day on 152-3 and added another 88 runs before declaring at 240-9, setting Pakistan a 268-run target. Player of the match Najmul Hossain Shanto led the hosts with a composed 87 off 150 balls, striking seven fours, while Mominul Haque contributed 56 from 1