DHAKA : Bangladesh secured a crushing 104-run win over Pakistan in the opening Test, riding on stellar performances from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and fast bowling sensation Nahid Rana at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, a press release said.
While Shanto was instrumental in the victory, with score of 101 and 87 in two innings, Nahid produced a spell to remember on the final day to script a victory to savour for years.
Chasing 268 for victory, Pakistan were bowled out for 163, with Nahid finishing with his career-best 5-40 in a fiery pace display that dismantled the visitors after tea on Day 5, the final day of the game.
In a devastating three-over spell, Nahid removed Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Noman Ali in the space of 18 deliveries, conceding only five runs to swing the match decisively Bangladesh’s way.
Fellow pacer Taskin Ahmed who secured 2-40 in the second innings struck the first blow when Imam-ul-Haq edged behind for 2.
Pakistan’s resistance initially came through debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal, who added 54 runs in a determined partnership reminiscent of their first-innings fightback.
Offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the stand with a sharp arm-ball that deceived Awais, who followed his first-innings century with 15.
Nahid then removed captain Shan Masood to leave Pakistan struggling at 68-3.
Fazal, who had scored 60 in the first innings, continued to impress with a composed 66 alongside Salman Agha. But Bangladesh struck twice quickly after tea.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam dismissed Fazal to end a 51-run stand before Taskin removed Salman for 21 with a lifting back-of-length delivery, reducing Pakistan to 121-5.
Shakeel and Rizwan briefly revived Pakistan’s hopes, but Nahid returned with a hostile second spell that ripped through the middle and lower order. He eventually completed his second Test five-for by dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Earlier, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a fluent 87 as Bangladesh set Pakistan a target of 268 runs for a victory.
Resuming the Day 5 on 152-3 and with an overall lead of 179, Bangladesh declared their second innings on 240-9, leaving themselves at least 76 overs to force a result.
As it was expected, Bangladesh adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, with Shanto leading the charge after the early loss of Mushfiqur Rahim, who holed out a delivery of Hasan Ali to be caught at mid-off for 22.
Shanto, who had scored a century in the first innings, hit seven boundaries in his 87 before being trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Noman, who finished with 3-76, continued to trouble Bangladesh’s middle and lower order despite their counterattacking approach.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a brisk 24 off 27 balls to push the lead beyond 250, while Taskin chipped in with a quickfire 11 off five deliveries.
Hasan Ali ended with 3-52 after removing Taskin, caught by Imam-ul-Haq, shortly before Bangladesh declared.
Earlier, Bangladesh had posted 413 in their first innings and secured a 27-run lead after bowling Pakistan out for 386, with Mehidy claiming a five-wicket haul.
Shanto was adjudged man of the match.
The second Test begins in Sylhet on Saturday.
