Litton Das Leads Bangladesh to Historic Test Series Win Over Pakistan

Bangladesh's wicket-keeper batter Litton Das scored a pivotal 138 runs, aiding his team's recovery and securing an historic Test series win against Pakistan. The team's dominant performance, bolstered by key contributions from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and others, propelled them to fourth in the ICC World Test Championship standings.

Bangladesh wicket-keeper batter Litton Das stepped up when his team was faltering at 26/6 in the second Test against Pakistan, scoring a crucial 138 off 228 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and 4 sixes. His partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 78, led the team to a respectable 262. Das's performance earned him the player of the match.

After the match, an elated Litton Das said, "Just believed in myself. Pakistan bowled well in that spell, but Hasan Miraz and I wanted to bat long. He hit a four and a six, and then the momentum shifted." The duo forged a 175-run partnership, crucial for the team's recovery.

Das added, "When Hasan came, I didn't have many scoring opportunities, so I took my time and aimed to play as many overs as possible. Credit to Hasan for batting exceptionally well. I enjoy keeping in Tests; it's my role, and when I perform well, the team does too."

Bangladesh delivered a thoroughly dominant performance over two weeks, sweeping the Test series against Pakistan 2-0, despite a rain-affected start to the second Test. The 10-wicket victory in the first match marked Bangladesh's maiden Test win over Pakistan, with the second Test solidifying their historic achievement.

This series victory is also Bangladesh's first Test series win against a team other than Zimbabwe and the West Indies, according to the ICC. The win boosted Bangladesh in the ICC World Test Championship standings, propelling them to No. 4 with a points percentage of 45.83, leapfrogging England.

Beginning the fifth day on 42/0, needing 143 more runs to win, Bangladesh started cautiously, inching towards the modest target. Despite losing both openers within 12 runs, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque put together a 57-run stand to keep the visitors on track. Despite further wickets, veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan guided Bangladesh over the line without any further hiccups.

Earlier in the Test, opting to bowl first, Bangladesh produced another fantastic performance, bowling Pakistan out for 274 runs. Despite half-centuries from Shan Masood and Saim Ayub, Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul and three wickets from Taskin Ahmed kept Pakistan's total within reach. In reply, Khurram Shahzad's six-wicket haul gave Pakistan a slim 12-run lead, but Bangladesh's bowlers struck back. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana took nine wickets between them, collapsing Pakistan for 172 in the second innings, and setting Bangladesh a target of 185.

Poor weather and bad light only delayed the inevitable on Day 4 as Bangladesh wrapped up the Test with six wickets to spare, marking a historic series victory. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)