Rawalpindi saw a historic cricket match which it would like to forget between the home team Pakistan and the visitors Bangladesh. The touring country demolished Pakistan with a clean 2-0 sweep and secured their first series victory against the hosts.
Bangladesh’s dominant victory was made more impressive because this was the country’s first test series win over Pakistan. They had previously lost 12 of their last 13 tests against Pakistan with one draw in 2015 on their home soil.
This was also their fourth Test win on foreign soil in the last seven years and only the third test series win outside the country. Their previous victories were against West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe in 2021.
The crushing defeat adds to a dismal home record for Pakistan, the team having slogged through 10 consecutive matches without a win in two and a half years for the first time since 1975. Pakistan had previously lost 11 consecutive matches at home from 1969-75.
10-wicket victory in first match
Bangladesh put aside the political unrest marring their country to clinch a sublime 10-wicket win against Pakistan in the first test match on Sunday. The home team was dismissed 146 all out. The fast bowlers took out the top four Pakistan batters, following which spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz swept up the remaining seven wickets.
Litton Das’ clutch century
Bangladesh was at a dire 26/6 situation during the first innings thanks to Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad and Mir Hamza. However, their saving grace would arrive in the form of Litton Das, who scored a game-changing century to bring the team into contention. Litton scored 138 runs of 228 balls which included 13 boundaries. He was partnered with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who contributed 78 runs to the score, bringing the team to 262 runs.
In the second innings, Pakistan was dismissed with an all-out at 172 runs, which left Bangladesh chasing after a 184-target score in four sessions. The target was deftly met by a masterclass batting play by Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominal Haque, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Reactions to Bangladesh “whitewashing” Pakistan
The loss was criticized vehemently by fans and experts alike, who were blunt with the opinions about Pakistan’s shortcomings. Social media platform X went berserk following Pakistan’s embarrassing defeat in Rawalpindi. The team was trolled for getting ‘swept’ by the guests in their own home. Team Captain Shan Masood also became a target for the internet trolls, who became the first captain to lose his first five tests.
Adding to the embarrassment was the fact that Bangladesh was still reeling from the political upheaval in the country following Sheikh Hasina’s exit.
Following the loss to Bangladesh, Pakistan has now dropped down two positions to eighth in the ICC Test rankings. The team has been at its lowest rating points wise since 1965. Bangladesh still remains in the ninth position despite the dominant victory and gaining 12 points. However, the 2-0 win resulted in a major boost for the visiting team as it now lies fourth in the World Test Championship cycle 2023-25. Bangladesh now has 45.83 percentage points and 33 points with three wins and as many defeats in six Tests. In WTC, a win earns the team 12 points, while a draw results in four and six for a tie while being ranked according to percentage of points won.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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