Pakistan equal unwanted Test record in defeat to Bangladesh

MIRPUR: Pakistan’s red-ball woes continued as they slumped to a 104-run defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, equalling an unwanted record in the process.

Chasing 268, Pakistan were bowled out for just 163, marking their third consecutive Test loss to Bangladesh — a sequence that now matches Zimbabwe’s record of three straight defeats against the same opposition.

Fast bowler Nahid Rana starred on the final day with a match-winning spell, claiming 5-40 in 9.5 overs. He sealed the victory by dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi for a duck, triggering the final collapse.

Abdullah Fazal offered some resistance with a well-compiled 66 off 113 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the batting unit. Salman Ali Agha scored 26, while Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan managed 15 runs each as Pakistan failed to build meaningful partnerships.

Earlier, Bangladesh tightened their grip on the match through a composed batting effort. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with 87, while Mominul Haque added 56. Contributions from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim helped the hosts reach 240-9 before declaring, setting Pakistan a competitive target.

Bangladesh had earlier posted 413 in their first innings, powered by Mominul (91), Shanto (101) and Mushfiqur (71). Pakistan’s bowling was led by Mohammad Abbas, who claimed 5-92, while Afridi picked up three wickets.

In reply, Pakistan managed 386, conceding a 27-run deficit despite a century from Azan Awais (103). Abdullah Fazal (60), Salman Ali Agha (58) and Rizwan (59) made useful contributions, but Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned figures of 5-102 to keep the hosts ahead.

The defeat also piles pressure on Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who now has 11 losses in 15 Tests, placing him joint second for most defeats by a Pakistan Test captain behind Misbah-ul-Haq.

With a 1-0 lead in the series, Bangladesh will head into the next Test with confidence, while Pakistan face mounting questions over their consistency and ability to compete in challenging conditions.