Bangladesh seal historic 2-0 sweep against Pakistan
News Desk || risingbd.com
Bangladesh have defeated Pakistan by six wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to complete a historic Test series sweep against Pakistan.
Pakistan: 274 & 172
Bangladesh: 262 & 185/4
Monsoon rain in Rawalpindi failed to subdue Bangladeshi spirit. Chasing 185 runs in the fourth innings of the second and concluding Test, Bangladesh needed another 143 on the final day of the short tour. Bangladesh reached the target with loss of four wickets.
Resuming on the overnight score of 42 for 0, Bangladesh lost both openers -- Zakir Hasan (40) and Shadman Islam (24) -- in quick succession. But Shanto, the enterprising captain, and veteran Mominul Haque dropped anchor to build a decisive third-wicket stand of 57 runs.
Pakistan, who dropped mercurial pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, did manage to delay the inevitable, but only until 56 overs. When Mushfiqur Rahim, the hero of the first Test, arrived in the middle after the fall of Shanto (38) in the 38th over, Bangladesh were only 58 runs adrift from the target.
The tour of Pakistan, however, turned out to be just the perfect outlet to find joy for many Bangladeshis.
The Rawalpindi double marked Bangladesh's first-ever Test series win over Pakistan, and this 2-0 sweep in an ICC World Test Championship series has become one of the greatest moments in the history of Bangladeshi sport.
Yeasin/Mukul