Mirpur Massacre: Nahid Rana’s five-wicket blitz buries Pakistan in historic defeat
Mirpur Massacre: Nahid Rana’s five-wicket blitz buries Pakistan in historic defeat
By Nawaz Gohar ; In a clinical display of high-octane fast bowling and strategic brilliance, Bangladesh achieved a landmark 104-run victory over Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.
By taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, the hosts secured their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan on home soil, proving that their 2024 whitewash in Rawalpindi was no fluke.
The final day belonged to one man: Nahid Rana. The young speedster, who recently sharpened his skills with the PSL 11 champions Peshawar Zalmi, produced a spell for the ages. With figures of 5/40, Rana didn’t just take wickets; he broke the spirit of the Pakistani middle order.
Pakistan, chasing a target of 268, began the final session with a glimmer of hope at 116-3. However, what followed was a catastrophic collapse. In a blistering display of pace and precision, Rana dismissed the backbone of the visitors—capturing the scalps of Saud Shakeel, the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan, and eventually wrapping up the tail by dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi for a duck.
While the veterans struggled, Pakistan’s youth showed remarkable courage. Abdullah Fazal etched his name into the record books, becoming only the sixth Pakistani to score half-centuries in both innings of his Test debut. His 66-run knock was a masterclass in resilience, yet his dismissal to Taijul Islam in the first over after Tea acted as the catalyst for the ensuing carnage.
Fazal’s partner in the first innings, centurion Azan Awais, contributed a gritty 15, while Salman Ali Agha provided a fleeting 26. But once the senior core of Shan Masood (2), Saud Shakeel (15), and Mohammad Rizwan (15) failed to drop anchor, the writing was on the wall. Pakistan was bundled out for a mere 163 in 52.5 overs.
The victory was set up by a disciplined batting performance from Bangladesh. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led from the front with a composed 87, while the ever-reliable Mominul Haque followed his first-innings 91 with a vital 56. Their 105-run partnership in the second innings drained the energy out of the Pakistani attack, allowing Bangladesh to declare at 240-9.
For Pakistan, the match offered a singular moment of celebration in an otherwise somber outing. Veteran left-arm spinner Noman Ali claimed his 100th Test wicket, becoming the third-fastest spinner in Pakistan’s history to reach the milestone (22 Tests). Alongside Hasan Ali, he took three wickets in the second innings, but their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by the batting unit’s inability to survive Rana’s fire.
As the series shifts to Sylhet on May 16, Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads. The “Rawalpindi hangover” seems to have followed them to Dhaka. For Bangladesh, this victory cements their status as a rising force in the World Test Championship cycle. For Pakistan, it is a stark reminder that in the longest format, reputation counts for nothing without the ability to survive a hostile final session.
