Shakib Al Hasan’s Heroics Seal Historic 2-0 Series Sweep for Bangladesh Against Pakistan
Shakib Al Hasan scored the winning runs as he struck Abrar Ahmed for a boundary, steering Bangladesh to clean sweep the series 2-0.
Bangladesh needed 63 runs to win in two sessions on Day 5, with Najmul Hossain Shanto playing at 33 and Mominul Haque at 20.
However, Salman Ali Agha halted Bangladesh’s progress with the wicket of Najmul, courtesy of Abdullah Shafique’s catch at short leg.
Bangladesh skipper was a notable contributor in the modest chase with 38 runs.
Shortly afterward, Mominul became Abrar Ahmed’s first wicket in the series after scoring 34 runs.
Bangladesh’s veteran batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan then joined hands and steered the side to the historic victory.
Earlier on Day 5, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam resumed their innings at 31 and nine respectively with Bangladesh needing 148 runs to sweep the series.
Mir Hamza gave Pakistan their first breakthrough
Mir Hamza gave Pakistan their first breakthrough as he castled Zakir after he played a quick knock of 40 off 39 with the help of three boundaries and two sixes.
Shadman soon followed his partner after scoring 24 as he fell prey to Khurram Shahzad.
However, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque fought back with an unbeaten 52-run stand to drag the total to 122-2 when the Lunch was called.
Prior to that, Hasan Mahmud led the bowling attack with his maiden five-wicket haul to help Bangladesh bundle Pakistan for a meagre 172 in the second innings on Day 4.
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Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha offered some resilience with their gutsy 43 and 47 knocks before the home side was booked on a modest total.
Other than Mahmud Hasan, Nahid Rana was the key bowler for Bangladesh with four wickets.
Before that, Khurram Shahzad took 6-90, while Mir Hamza and Salman Ali Agha bagged two wickets each to book Bangladesh for 262 in their first innings.
Khurram and Mir’s new ball spell left Bangladesh reeling at 26-6 before Lunch on Day 3, however, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped the side recover.
They stitched a partnership of 165 runs before Mehidy departed after scoring 78 runs from 124 balls with the help of twelve boundaries and one six.
Meanwhile, Litton carried the team with a gutsy century, scoring 138 runs from 228 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and four sixes.
Bangladesh bowlers bowled out Pakistan on 274
Earlier on Day 2, Bangladesh bowlers bowled out Pakistan on 274, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading the pack.
Mehidy was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with a five-fer, followed by Taskin Ahmed, who bagged three wickets. Nahid Rana and Shakib Al Hasan shared two wickets between them.
From Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha offered a notable fight against the momentum-filled Bangladesh bowling attack with his 54 off 95 deliveries, laced up with three fours and two sixes.
Prior to that, Shan Masood scored 57 off 69 deliveries with the help of two boundaries, while Saim Ayub played a 58-run knock which featured four fours and two sixes.
For the unversed, the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh was called off due to persistent rain here on Friday.
Playing XIs
Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad.
