Bangladesh Celebrates Historic Test Victory Against Pakistan

Bangladesh‘s cricket team achieved a historic milestone on August 25, 2024, by winning their first Test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. This remarkable victory is particularly poignant, as it serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives during recent protests that led to the resignation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed that the team’s win is dedicated to the victims of the protests, stating, ‘We are paying tribute to the individuals who recently passed away in our nation during the protest and we are praying for their souls.’ Bangladesh’s tour to Pakistan faced significant challenges, including inadequate preparation and travel limitations for foreign coaches due to safety warnings.

Despite these difficulties, the newly formed interim government under Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus permitted the two-match Test series to proceed. In an impressive display, Bangladesh led by 117 runs after their first innings, posting a record score of 565 against Pakistan, who had declared at 448 for 6.

On day five, Bangladesh’s bowlers restricted Pakistan to just 146 runs in their second innings, with outstanding performances from spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh required only 30 runs to secure victory, achieved without losing any wickets, igniting celebrations within their dressing room.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, who coincidentally celebrated his 26th birthday on the same day, reflected on the significance of this win. ‘It is nice to win on a birthday, special feeling,’ he remarked. ‘But more special is the team’s win. It’s a historic day for us, it is massive.’

He also acknowledged the contributions of his bowlers, commending their performance in keeping Pakistan at bay. Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 191 runs in the first innings, was highlighted for his unwavering dedication and consistency over a 15-year career.

Conversely, Pakistan captain Shan Masood extended his apologies to the fans for the disappointing outcome, noting, ‘We all are disappointed, the whole of Pakistan is disappointed.’ He expressed the need for the team to learn from their mistakes and prepare diligently for the upcoming second Test.