Bangladesh made history on Monday by winning their first-ever Test series win against Pakistan on Tuesday in Rawalpindi. The 2-0 victory means the visitors whitewashed the hosts–their third consecutive defeat on home turf after losing to England and Australia.

Shakib Al-Hassan finished the chase with a four through the covers of Abrar Ahmad’s bowling before the tea break on the fifth and final day to spark jubilation in the away dressing room.

A handful of Bangladesh supporters waving the nation’s flag were also there to see their country win only a third away series in 33 attempts.

Shakib remained unbeaten on 21 and Mushfiqur Rahim was on 22 as the visitors painstakingly overhauled the tricky 185-run target.

Before drinks, the Najmul Hossain Shanto side was four down at the score of 160 as they were chasing the 185-run target set by the Shan Masood-XI on a track described as suited for batters.

Veteran players Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan were playing before the break. The duo has been important in their side’s past victories.

The wicket-keeper batter scored a century in the first Test match, which Bangladesh won by 10 wickets and the first-ever against Pakistan.

Many fans believe the home side needs a miracle to turn this contest in their favour. It is difficult to expect that, but all eyes would be on the bowlers if they can “do some magic”.

Uphill battle

Shan Masood-led Pakistan faced an uphill battle in their attempt to avoid a humiliating whitewash on home soil as the final Test in Rawalpindi moved towards its conclusion.

At the start of play on the fifth and final day of the match, Bangladesh resumed their innings at 42-0 in pursuit of their 185-run target. Pakistan got the first breakthrough after 16 runs were added when Mir Hamza bowled Zakir Hasan with a delivery that moved away.

Fellow pace bowler Khurram Shahzad got in on the act when Shadman Islam miscued a drive, chipping to Shan at mid-off.

However, a lack of further breakthroughs and the shallow target meant that Bangladesh tightened their grip on the match and the series, reaching the 100-run mark in the 29th over.

Najmul Hossain Shanto on 33 and Mominul Haque, 20, dug in to stop any further inroads with the captain bringing up their fifty partnership off the last ball before lunch.

He has hit four boundaries so far in his 33 off 68 balls while Mominul found the ropes twice in his 30 off 46 balls.

Bangladesh leads the two-match series 1-0 after a surprise win in Rawalpindi last month, their first in 14 tests against Pakistan.

They have only won two series away from home — against the West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe in 2021.

On the fourth day of the match on Monday, Hasan Mahmud took 5-43 while Nahid added 4-44 — both career-best figures — in dismissing Pakistan for 172 in their second innings and visiting openers Hasan and Islam raced to 42 without loss — with Zakir hitting two sixes and two boundaries — before rain clouds gathered and bad light suspended play one over after the tea break.

The rain-affected Test saw Friday’s first day’s play washed out and then a remarkable fightback by Bangladesh on Sunday.

The visitors were 26-6 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings 274 before Liton Das (138) put together a seventh-wicket partnership of 165 with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) that enabled Bangladesh to reach 262.

Pakistan took their overnight score of 9-2 to 47-2 in 10 overs on Monday before Bangladesh broke through with a spell of three wickets for 18 runs.

Saim Ayub fell for 20 to a brilliant catch by Najmul Hossain at mid-off as the opener failed to keep down a drive off fast bowler Taskin Ahmed.

Nahid then had Pakistan skipper Masood caught behind by Liton off a wild shot before getting the prized wicket of Azam, caught at slip off a sharp delivery in his next over.

Nahid grabbed his third by dismissing Shakeel and went to lunch with figures of 3-22 off five overs.

‘Momentous moment’

Skipper Najmul described the series win as momentous moment for a country recently wracked by protests and the overthrow of former premier Sheikh Hasina.

“It means a lot to Bangladesh cricket and to all the players,” said the captain. “I cannot express the feelings.”

“When we came here everybody was determined to do something special and we wanted to win. I am happy that everyone did his job to the best and we have won a historic series.”

Najmul heaped particular praise on his bowlers, especially allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who finished with 10 wickets off his spin bowling.

“I think the way he bowled in the first innings on this kind of condition, taking five wickets, was great,” he said.

Mehidy also made 78 in a stand of 165 with Litton that lifted Bangladesh when they were in serious trouble in their first innings.

Apart from that, Bangladesh outplayed the home team in both Tests and were the better bowling side, despite having an inexperienced pace attack.

Before this, Bangladesh’s only away Test series wins came in the West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe three years ago.

In contrast, Pakistan have now lost six of their last 10 home Tests, drawing the other four.

‘Extremely disappointing’

“It is extremely disappointing to lose when you start a busy season,” said skipper Shan Masood, whose team faces England in a daunting three-match home series starting next month.

“In both the Tests we let them back in the game and in this one from 26-6, so it is something we need to address before our next series.”

“We are not finishing games and not learning from our mistakes,” added Masood, who has now lost all five Tests since being appointed last year, including 3-0 against Australia earlier this year.