Sylhet: Bangladesh has registered a landmark moment in their Test history after defeating Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test to clinch their first-ever home series win against the visitors.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam produced a match-winning spell of six wickets as Bangladesh bowled Pakistan out for 328 in their fourth-innings chase of 437 on the fifth morning in Sylhet. Pakistan resumed the final day on 316-7 and briefly hoped for an unlikely comeback, powered by a resilient 94 from wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. However, the resistance ended quickly in the first session as Bangladesh wrapped up the innings.
Rizwan had anchored the chase with a 166-ball stay and shared a crucial 54-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Sajid Khan, who contributed 28. But Taijul broke through by dismissing Sajid, bringing Bangladesh within touching distance of victory. In the very next over, Shoriful Islam removed Rizwan to effectively end Pakistan’s resistance.
Taijul returned later to claim the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad, finishing with figures of 6-120 in the second innings. He also picked up 3-67 in Pakistan’s first innings, taking his match tally to nine wickets.
Bangladesh set up the win with strong batting performances across both innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das scored a fluent 126 in the first innings total of 278, while veteran Mushfiqur Rahim struck a commanding 137 in the second innings.
Contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69) helped Bangladesh reach 390, setting Pakistan a challenging target. Pakistan had earlier been bowled out for 232 in their first innings. With this victory, Bangladesh not only secured the match but also completed a 2-0 series triumph after winning the opening Test by 104 runs, marking a dominant home campaign under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
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