Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul seals historic sweep over Pakistan

Nahid Rana delivered a masterclass in aggressive fast bowling to claim 5-40, dismantling Pakistan’s batting order and securing a 104-run victory for Bangladesh on the final day in Mirpur. The win marks Bangladesh’s third consecutive Test triumph against Pakistan, underscoring a significant shift in the rivalry.

Chasing a daunting 268 on a deteriorating surface, Pakistan’s resistance crumbled under Rana’s raw pace and accuracy. The young quick exploited the afternoon heat to extract steep bounce, bundling the visitors out for 163 in 52.5 overs.

Rana’s clinical display began in the morning session when he squared up Pakistan captain Shan Masood (2). A delivery that straightened off the seam forced a thick outside edge, which Litton Das secured behind the stumps. While Abdullah Fazal offered a solitary fightback with a gritty 66, Rana returned after lunch to extinguish any hope of a chase.

He broke a burgeoning partnership by inducing an edge from Saud Shakeel (15) before producing the delivery of the match to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan. A ball pitching outside off jagged back prodigiously at 147 kph to rattle the middle and leg stumps, leaving Rizwan stunned.

The victory was built on a bold declaration from Najmul Hossain Shanto earlier in the day. Shanto, who narrowly missed a historic second century of the match by 13 runs, declared the second innings at 240-9 shortly before lunch. His 87, paired with Mominul Haque’s disciplined 56, set a target that proved unreachable for a Pakistan side still reeling from their first-innings collapse.

The match reached its climax as Rana charged in for the final wicket against Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rana unleashed a fierce, rising short ball that forced the tailender into a defensive tangle. The ball clipped the glove and looped toward short leg, where the catch was taken to spark wild celebrations.

Rana’s maiden five-wicket haul capped a dominant team performance. Earlier in the match, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 14th five-for and Taskin Ahmed’s 50th Test wicket provided the necessary pressure to keep Bangladesh undefeated in their recent red-ball encounters with Pakistan.