Mirpur: Pakistan have become only the second team in history to lose three consecutive Tests against Bangladesh, joining Zimbabwe in a unwanted club that underlines how far the once-feared Asian side has fallen.
The latest defeat came in the first Test at Mirpur on Tuesday, May 12. Needing 268 in 75 overs, Pakistan were 116 for 3 at tea and well placed then lost seven wickets in the final session to be bowled out for 163, losing by 104 runs.
How it unravelled
Bangladesh had set the tone early by preparing a green wicket instead of the spinning surfaces typically associated with home Tests. In the first innings, they posted 413 and dismissed Pakistan for 386, taking a 27-run lead. Batting again on day five, Bangladesh extended their innings before declaring at 240 for 9, setting up a push for a result.
Pakistan’s chase began badly. Imam-ul-Haq fell for 2 in the very first over and the side went to lunch at 6 for 1. The second session, however, gave Pakistan hope they scored 110 runs for just two wickets, reaching tea at 116 for 3 with Abdullah Fazal on 66 and Salman Agha on 21.
The collapse came immediately after the break. Fazal was dismissed in the first over of the final session. Agha followed the very next over. Pakistan slid from 116 for 3 to 121 for 5 in a matter of balls. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan each scored 15 and put on 31 for the sixth wicket before pacer Nahid Rana was brought on.
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Rana took four of the last five wickets as Pakistan crumbled from 152 for 5 to 163 all out.
Masood’s verdict
“I think we were in a good position at tea. And then after tea we lost some wickets and in terms of game-sense I thought that’s where a few of the batsmen could have really realised that we’re a bit far away from the target and it’s better to keep ourselves in the game. I thought we lost wickets at the wrong time and we could have made better cricketing decisions,” said captain Shan Masood after the defeat.
