Bangladesh Secures Historic 2-0 Test Series Win Over Pakistan

Bangladesh swept the Test series against Pakistan 2-0, marking their first-ever series win over Pakistan and their first Test series victory against any team other than Zimbabwe and the West Indies. The win propels Bangladesh to No. 4 in the ICC World Test Championship standings.

Bangladesh delivered an utterly dominant performance over two weeks, sweeping the Test series against Pakistan 2-0, despite a rain-affected second Test. The landmark 10-wicket victory in the first match marked Bangladesh's maiden Test win against Pakistan. The team repeated the feat in the second Test, solidifying a historic achievement.

This series triumph is also Bangladesh's first Test series victory (involving two matches or more) against any team other than Zimbabwe and the West Indies, as per the ICC. The win has boosted Bangladesh in the ICC World Test Championship standings, propelling them to the No. 4 spot with a points percentage of 45.83, leapfrogging England.

Beginning the fifth day on a stable 42/0, with 143 more runs needed to win, Bangladesh made a cautious start, inching towards the modest target. Despite losing both openers within the space of 12 runs after adding 80 in the morning session, the experienced Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque kept the team on track with a 57-run stand.

Though Shanto fell after lunch for 38 and Mominul for 34, causing slight concern, veterans Mushfiqur Rahim (22*) and Shakib Al Hasan (21*) ensured victory without further setbacks. Earlier, Bangladesh opted to field first and produced a stellar bowling performance, dismissing Pakistan for 274, with half-centuries from Shan Masood and Saim Ayub standing out.

Pakistan responded strongly with Khurram Shahzad's six-wicket haul giving them a slim 12-run lead. However, Bangladesh's Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana stepped up, taking a combined nine wickets to bowl out Pakistan for just 172 in the second innings, setting a target of 185 for Bangladesh.

Poor weather and bad light halted play early on Day 4 but didn't change the outcome as Bangladesh wrapped up the Test with six wickets to spare, securing a historic series win. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)