Bangladesh have defeated Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, completing a 2-0 series sweep.
Pakistan, chasing 437 to win, were bowled out for 358 in 97.2 overs on the final day. They had closed day four at 316-7, still needing 121 runs with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 75 and Sajid Khan on eight.
Pakistan came out with the right intent on the last day. Rizwan and Sajid put on a defiant stand and pushed Pakistan deep into the chase. Sajid played his shots, hitting five fours in a brisk 28 off 36 balls. With Pakistan needing 79 runs and three wickets in hand, the game still felt like a contest but then it all fell apart.
Sajid was caught by Najmul Hossain Shanto off Taijul Islam. Rizwan, who had batted magnificently for 94 off 166 balls and carried Pakistan’s hopes almost single-handedly, was caught by Mehidy Hasan Miraz off Shoriful Islam .
The last three wickets added not a single run. Khurram Shahzad fell for a duck, caught by Tanzid Hasan off Taijul. Mohammad Abbas followed without scoring. Pakistan were bowled out for 358, all three wickets falling for zero as Bangladesh won by 78 runs.
Taijul Islam was the standout bowler of the match, finishing with six wickets in Pakistan’s second innings.
Pakistan had started day four needing 437, a target set after Bangladesh were bowled out for 390 in their second innings. Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal opened cautiously but Nahid Rana broke the 27-run stand, dismissing Fazal for 6 off 28 balls, caught at gully by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Mehidy then had Azan lbw for 21, leaving Pakistan at 41-2. Shan Masood and Babar Azam steadied things with a fluent third-wicket stand. Babar came out aggressively after lunch, launching Taijul for a six off the first ball of the session. The two took Pakistan past 100 before Taijul drew a careless flick from Babar, who edged to Litton Das for 47.
Saud Shakeel and Masood then fell within six balls of each other. Rana induced Shakeel to edge behind to Litton for 6, before Taijul got one to grip and bounce, with Masood flicking to short leg where Mahmudul Hasan Joy grabbed a sharp catch. Masood departed for 71 off 116 balls. Pakistan was 154-4.
Salman Ali Agha and Rizwan then produced the partnership of the match. The two batted for over three hours and added 134 runs for the sixth wicket, attacking the spinners and keeping the run rate above three. Agha made 71 off 102 balls before Taijul bowled him through the gate with an arm ball, skidding one past his defences. Hasan Ali followed immediately, edging to Shanto at first slip off Taijul for a duck. Pakistan closed the day at 316-7.
The result gives Bangladesh their third consecutive Test win against Pakistan, following their 2-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2024. It is one of the most dominant runs of results in Bangladesh’s Test history.
