Bangladesh crush Pakistan to clinch 2-0 clean sweep

SYLHET: Bangladesh completed a commanding 2-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan after sealing a 78-run victory in the second Test in Sylhet, with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam taking six wickets to dismantle the visitors in a tense final-day chase.

Pakistan, set a daunting target of 437, were bowled out for 359 in the final session of day five after resuming the day needing 121 more runs with three wickets in hand. Mohammad Rizwan’s resilient 94 kept Pakistan’s hopes alive for long periods, but the lower order eventually folded under sustained pressure from Bangladesh’s spinners.

Taijul, who finished with match figures of 9 for 187, once again proved decisive in home conditions, breaking Pakistan’s resistance by removing Sajid Khan for 28 before returning to clean up the innings with the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad. Fast bowler Shoriful Islam also struck a crucial blow, dismissing Rizwan to end Pakistan’s last realistic chance of survival.

The win sealed Bangladesh’s first-ever Test series victory over Pakistan at home, and continued their remarkable recent dominance in the format, following their 2-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2024.

Pakistan’s chase had been built around a fighting partnership between Rizwan and Sajid Khan, who added 54 for the eighth wicket after the tourists had slumped to 162 for 5 on day four. Rizwan batted for 166 balls in a lone vigil, but lacked support as Bangladesh’s attack maintained relentless pressure.

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh set up the victory with strong batting performances across both innings. Litton Das struck 126 in the first innings total of 278, while veteran Mushfiqur Rahim’s superb 137 anchored the second innings total of 390. Useful contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69) ensured Bangladesh posted a challenging lead that ultimately proved decisive.

Taijul also starred in Pakistan’s first innings, returning 3 for 67 as the visitors were restricted to 232.

The series began with Bangladesh’s 104-run win in the first Test in Dhaka, setting the tone for a historic clean sweep under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Speaking after the match, Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted his side had fallen short in key moments.

“There were a lot of mistakes,” Masood said. “We didn’t do well enough in the first three innings and that’s why the effort on the fourth and fifth day didn’t really materialise into a win.”

He added that Test cricket demanded sustained discipline and resilience.

“Test cricket is unforgiving. You’re playing against the best of the best. You don’t get easy games, you have to grind results out,” he said.

The defeat will deepen scrutiny on Pakistan’s Test performances, while Bangladesh will take significant confidence from a landmark series win that underlines their growing strength in home conditions.