History was made when Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 78 runs in the second and final Test of the series played between the two teams in Sylhet on Wednesday, May 20. Bangladesh swept the series 2-0, disallowing their visitors even a foothold. This was Pakistan’s embarrassing fourth successive Test loss to Bangladesh. Before that, they had been humiliated in their own country in 2024.
While that 2-0 whitewash was hailed as historic since Bangladesh had achieved it for the first time, this one gained credence purely due to the standards shown by the home team. While Bangladesh won the first Test in Dhaka by 104 runs, they claimed victory over the opponents in the second match by 78 runs.
In Sylhet, Bangladesh batted first but could not make the most of the conditions on offer, getting all out for 278 in 77 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das was the sole star for the Bangla Tigers, as he struck a 159-ball 126, which consisted of 16 boundaries and two sixes. Khurram Shahzad was the most successful bowler for Pakistan with figures of 4-81. In response, Pakistan did not fare too well. They were bowled out for 232 in just 57.4 overs, with Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam claiming three wickets apiece.
Only Babar Azam showed some resistance for the visitors with a half-century (68). In the second innings, when Bangladesh batted again, they did not make the mistakes they had made earlier, and instead, ground the Pakistan bowling down. Senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim was the star of the show with a well-crafted 137 while Das supported him ably with 69. The home team scored 390 runs before being all out.
They gained a lead of 436 runs. In Pakistan’s second innings, set such a daunting target (437), they came close but eventually capsized for 358, 78 runs short of their aim. Mohammad Rizwan (94), Shan Masood (71), Salman Agha (71) and Azam (47) tried their best to avoid the inevitable, but Taijul’s 6-120 sealed the deal for Bangladesh. With this result, the hosts swept the series 2-0!
