What can we expect in the second Test now? Momentum. Confidence. And maybe even more drama. Bangladesh have shown they understand home conditions brilliantly. Their spinners controlled tempo, their batters absorbed pressure, and their pacers attacked fearlessly at the right moments. Pakistan, meanwhile, showed fight through Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Rizwan, and Salman Agha, but discipline hurt them badly - too many extras, too many no-balls, and too many collapses at key moments. This match stayed alive every single day. Day 1 belonged to Bangladesh. Day 2 leaned towards Pakistan. Day 3 swung both ways. Day 4 looked destined for a draw. And then Day 5 arrived with a knife hidden behind its back. Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 now. Pakistan have questions to answer. And the second Test? Oh… that became must-watch.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator and Statsman Manan Mehta, and scorer Dushyant Madhukar Kumar. Also, a special thanks to our helping buddy Mohammad Anab for chipping in. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!!
Sessions Breakdown for Day 5:
Session 1: 20 Overs, 94 Runs, 7 Wickets
Session 2: 27 Overs, 110 Runs, 2 Wickets
Session 3: 21.5 Overs, 47 Runs, 7 Wickets
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Player of the Match and Bangladesh Captain): "(On winning three consecutive Test matches and beating Pakistan again) Yeah, very happy. I’m really proud of all the players and the way we performed, especially in this Test match. We’ve been working very hard over the last few months, so I’m very happy with the way we played.
(On Bangladesh’s first Test win against Pakistan at home) I actually didn’t know that, but it’s a great feeling and a wonderful experience. I’m very proud of the way we played. Slowly, we are improving in Test cricket, and that is something we have always wanted to achieve.
(On the decision if he had won the toss and the bold declaration) Yes, we had already planned that we would bat first if we won the toss. We were confident because of the way we prepared over the last few months and because of the experience in our batting lineup with players like Mushfiqur, Litton, and Mominul. That was always the plan. As for the declaration, we believed in the quality of our bowling attack. In these conditions, the way Rana, Taskin, Miraj, and Taijul bowled was outstanding, and that’s exactly what we wanted as a team.
(On contributing with the bat as captain) I’m really happy. I always think about what the team needs and try to contribute in every match. I’m happy that I could do that for the team. In the first innings, especially during the first two or three hours, batting was challenging. But Mominul bhai batted brilliantly. There was always some extra bounce in the pitch, but we managed to play good shots. The way Mominul bhai and Mushfiq bhai batted in the first innings was very important for us.
(On preparing for the next Test in Sylhet) For now, we need to enjoy this victory. Sylhet will bring different challenges and different conditions, so we’ll have to prepare ourselves accordingly. Hopefully, we’ll continue to play good cricket there as well."
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: NAJMUL HOSSAIN SHANTO
Shan Masood (Pakistan Captain): "(Should Pak have elected to bat first?) First on the green turf — I mean hindsight is 20/20. We looked at the conditions, and we thought that in terms of seam bowling, I think we had the best conditions. We got two early wickets, and I think in the first innings we did not capitalize on that good start. And in the first innings, with the bat as well, I thought there were instances where we could have really sort of pushed the gas, scored more runs, taken a bit of a lead. But I thought the first innings with bat and ball, that’s where we have to look at ourselves.
(On the bowling effort) Yeah, I think, look, you can never question the effort, especially when you’re playing Test cricket after six months. But it was hard after that first over. I thought Shanto and Mominul played well — you have to give credit to them. But again, from that second over till the end of the day, we came back well on the second day. And again, we came back well with the bat as well in the first innings. But again, Test cricket on surfaces like this, it teaches you that when you have the game in your hands, you have to really put the opposition away from the game. But I thought we failed to do that.
(On two debutants - Awais and Fazal) Extremely pleased. When we picked them, obviously we picked them seeing the potential that they belong to this level. And the maturity Azan showed, I think in terms of both innings, kept going for the team, was brilliant. And then played some delightful shots along with Abdullah, who was a late entry. He didn’t even know he was going to be playing the Test match till very late at night when Babar had to pull out. So when he came in, he showed maturity in both the first innings and the second innings. And now, I think for them, the thing is — can they be consistent in Test cricket? And I think they have the potential to do that.
(On areas to improve) I think again, when you get opportunities in the game where you can really stamp your authority on the opposition, I think we have to do that. And those are things that — realizing moments in the game — even today, I thought there were instances where when Abdullah and Agha had that partnership, I thought that’s where we could have… if they had batted for another, let’s say, half an hour or an hour, that would have put us in a really strong position. And then when Rizwan and Saud were batting as well. So instances in the game where we sort of bring ourselves into the game, but sort of not capitalize on those situations."
Time for the post-match presentations...
Stats Corner by Manan Mehta
Most Wins as Captain of Bangladesh in Tests:
7- Najmul Hossain Shanto (17 Matches)*
7- Mushfiqur Rahim (34 Matches)
4- Shakib Al Hasan (19 Matches)
Best Bowling in an Innings for Nahid Rana in Tests:
5/40 vs Pakistan, Mirpur (This Test)*
5/61 vs West Indies, Kingston, 2024
4/44 vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2024
Best Bowling in a Match for a Bangladeshi Pacer vs Pakistan in Tests: