Rana five-for seals Bangladesh’s 104-run win over Pakistan

Nahid Rana produced a devastating spell in the final session as Bangladesh wrapped up a 104-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Pakistan were bowled out for 163 in pursuit of 268, with Rana claiming a five-wicket haul (9.5-2-40-5) to cap a memorable performance on the final day.

Rana fittingly completed his five-for with the final wicket, banging in a short ball that brushed Shaheen Shah Afridi’s gloves and looped to short leg. Shaheen departed for a duck after facing 14 deliveries as the hosts sealed the win in emphatic fashion.

Earlier, the visitors resumed after Tea needing 145 runs with seven wickets in hand, but Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure as the pitch continued to offer variable movement and turn.

Rana rips through Pakistan as Tigers close in on win

Nahid Rana produced a fiery spell as Bangladesh moved to the brink of victory against Pakistan on the final day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Pakistan were reeling at 158 for nine in 50 overs in pursuit of 268 when this report was filed, still needing 110 runs with just one wicket in hand.

After Pakistan had reached Tea at 116 for three, Abdullah Fazal and Salman Agha steadied the chase with a measured stand, briefly keeping the visitors in the hunt. But Bangladesh turned the game decisively in the final session.

Taijul Islam broke the stand by trapping Abdullah lbw for 66 after a successful review, before Taskin Ahmed removed Salman for 26 to put the hosts firmly on top.

Pakistan’s hopes then rested on Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, but Rana’s pace proved too much on a wearing Mirpur surface. The young quick first induced an outside edge from Shakeel, Litton Das completing a sharp catch behind the stumps, before producing the delivery of the innings to castle Rizwan with a sharp nip-backer at 147 kph.

Taijul then trapped Hasan Ali lbw before Rana struck again, removing Noman Ali through another successful review to leave Pakistan on the verge of defeat.

Taskin, Taijul trigger post-Tea collapse

Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed Ahmed removed the two set batters --  Abdullah Fazal (66) and Salman Ali Agha (26) right after Tea to put Pakistan under huge pressure in the final session of the Mirpur Test.

Mohammad Rizwan then survived a massive scare against Taskin as Pakistan were hanging to dear life, chasing a target of 268 on the final day. They were 131 for 5 when this report was updated.

The two batters had steadied the innings as Pakistan had reached 116 for three at Tea ahead of the final session of the Mirpur Test on Tuesday.

Pakistan still needed 145 runs for victory, with a minimum of 45 overs remaining in the day, light permitting.

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Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck  crucial blows to stem the Pakistani run flow and take the final two sessions of the Mirpur Test towards a thrilling finale.

Miraz got rid of first-inning centurion Awais Azan (15) -- bowled, and Rana removed Shan Masood (2) -- caught behind -- as Pakistan reached 78 for three an hour into the middle session of the day, still 190 runs away from their target.

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Bangladesh declared their second innings at 240 for nine, setting Pakistan a target of 268 runs for victory on the final day of the first Test in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Wickets fell quickly after in the morning session, especially towards the end of the session as Bangladesh looked for some quick runs before declaration. 

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's dismissal for 87 against Noman Ali triggred a collapse as Bangladesh lost four wickets for 24 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (24) too fell to Noman, who got his 100th Test dismissal in this innings.

Pakistan will likely have 76 overs in the day, lights permitting, to chase the target down. 

But they already lost the first wicket, that of opener Imam-ul-Haq to a peach of a delivery from Taskin Ahmed before reaching 6 for 1 at lunch.

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Bangladesh lost overnight batter Mushfiqur Rahim early on the final day of the first Test against Pakistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today, but continued to build their advantage by stretching the lead beyond 200 runs.

Mushfiqur resumed the day on 16 and added only six more before falling for 22 off 37 balls, an innings featuring four boundaries. Attempting to attack pacer Hasan Ali, Mushfiqur tried to loft a full delivery over the bowler’s head but miscued the shot. The ball caught the outside half of the bat and floated towards mid-off, where Shan Masood completed a simple catch.

Shaheen Afridi then dismissed Litton Das for 11 runs as Bangladesh reached 192 for five after resuming the morning on 152-3.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto continued to anchor the innings and remained unbeaten on 79. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was accompanying him on 2 as Bangladesh pushed their lead to 200 runs in a strong position heading deeper into the final day.