The Bangladesh Pakistan test match highlights tell a story of collapse. Pure collapse. Pakistan needed 268 runs
2026-05-12
The Bangladesh Pakistan test match highlights tell a story of collapse. Pure collapse. Pakistan needed 268 runs on Day 5. They got 163. Bangladesh won by 104 runs. Simple math. Brutal result.
I watched every ball of the final day. Not as a journalist. As a fan who has seen too many fourth innings chases fall apart. But this one felt different. This wasn't just a bad day at the office. This was a statement.
Bangladesh declared at 240 for 9. That left Pakistan 76 overs to chase 268. Salman Agha said before Day 5 that 260 in 70 overs was "absolutely chaseable". He was wrong. Very wrong.
Let me walk you through how this unfolded. No hype. Just the real story.
Here is the thing about Test cricket. Numbers lie. 268 runs in 76 overs sounds easy. That is roughly 3.5 runs per over. Doable on most pitches.
But the Mirpur pitch was not "most pitches." By Day 5, it was a minefield. Variable bounce. Sharp turn. The ball kept low on occasion. Pakistan's batting lineup walked into a trap.
Read Also: IPL 2026 Best Performing Players List And Stats
Bangladesh's captain Najmul Shanto set the target smartly. Not too big (fear of defensive batting). Not too small (fear of an easy chase). Just right. He scored 87 in the second innings, following his first innings century of 101. That man understands pressure.
Let me give you the sequence. Because the scorecard doesn't capture the panic.
First wicket at 3 runs. Imam-ul-Haq edged Taskin Ahmed behind. Gone for 2. Early blow. The kind that makes dressing rooms go quiet.
Second wicket at 15. Debutant Azan Awais. He scored a brilliant 103 in the first innings. Looked solid. But Mehidy Hasan produced an arm-ball that snuck through. Bowled for 15. The debut magic ran out.
Third wicket at 21. Captain Shan Masood. Nahid Rana's pace did the trick. Masood made 2 runs. The captain. The leader. Walking back for a duck almost.
Pakistan was 21 for 3. The chase was dead before it started.
I have to give credit where it is due. Abdullah Fazal played a fighting knock. 66 runs on debut. The only Pakistani batter who looked comfortable.
He added 54 runs with Azan Awais initially. Then 51 runs with Salman Agha . For a brief moment, Pakistan fans dared to hope. 121 for 4. Still in the game.
But Taijul Islam broke the partnership. Fazal edged one. Gone. The resistance ended. What followed was a procession.
If you haven't heard of Nahid Rana, remember the name. The young fast bowler took 5 for 40 in the second innings. Career-best spans.
His three-over burst after tea was the defining moment. Three wickets in 18 balls. Saud Shakeel. Mohammad Rizwan. Noman Ali. Conceded just 5 runs in that spell.
I have seen fast bowlers destroy lineups. But this was different. Rana bowled with genuine pace. Hit the deck hard. Made the ball talk. Pakistan had no answer.
Here is the pros and cons of Pakistan's chase:
What worked:
Abdullah Fazal's composure. The debutant showed maturity beyond his years.
Salman Agha's 26 provided brief stability.
What failed:
The top order. Imam, Masood, and Awais combined for 19 runs.
The middle order. Shakeel and Rizwan tried but couldn't accelerate.
Shot selection. Multiple batters threw away starts.
This was not a pitch that demanded 60 runs in 10 overs. This was a pitch that required patience. Pakistan showed none.
Let me talk about Bangladesh's spin attack. Mehidy Hasan took 5 wickets in the first innings . Finished with match spans that don't fully capture his impact.
You Must Also Like: Arshad Khan Stats IPL 2026: The Left-Arm Pacer Who Silenced the Chinnaswamy Crowd
His arm-ball to dismiss Azan Awais was unplayable. Pitched on off, straightened, beat the bat, hit the stumps. That is the delivery of a bowler who has done his homework.
Taijul Islam chipped in with the wicket of Fazal. Left-arm spin, sharp turn, caught at slip. Classic Test wicket.
Bangladesh has beaten Pakistan before. But this felt different. They outplayed Pakistan in every department.
First innings: 413 runs. Shanto 101, Mominul Haque 56. Solid platform.
Second innings: Declared at 240 for 9. Shanto 87, Mominul 56 again. Consistent batting.
Bowling: Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan, and Nahid Rana shared the wickets. No reliance on one bowler. A unit.
This is not the Bangladesh of 10 years ago. This is a team that knows how to win. The 1-0 lead in the two-match series is well deserved.
Pakistan has problems. Deep problems.
The top order collapsed in both innings. The bowling looked ordinary on a helpful pitch. The fielding dropped catches at crucial moments.
Shan Masood's captaincy is under the microscope. Two runs in the second innings. That is not acceptable for a leader. Salman Agha's pre-match confidence about chasing 260 now looks foolish.
Noman Ali took 100 Test wickets in this match. A personal milestone. But team failure. That sums up Pakistan's current state. Individual achievements, collective disappointment.
You want honest guidance. Here it is.
If you are a Bangladesh fan: Enjoy this. Savor it. Your team has arrived. The bowling attack is balanced. The batting has depth. Shanto is a captain who leads from the front.
If you are a Pakistan fan: Lower your expectations. This team is rebuilding. The top order needs work. The middle order lacks consistency. Do not expect miracles in Sylhet.
If you are a neutral: Watch the second Test. Bangladesh has momentum. Pakistan has pride. That makes for good cricket.
Let me give you the key stats:
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 413 | 240/9 dec | 653 |
| Pakistan | 386 | 163 | 549 |
Bangladesh won by 104 runs.
Top scorers:
Najmul Shanto: 101 and 87 (Player of the Match material)
Mominul Haque: 56 and 56 (Mr. Consistent)
Abdullah Fazal: 66 on debut (Pakistan's only bright spot)
Top bowlers:
Nahid Rana: 5/40 (Match-winning spell)
Mehidy Hasan: 5/102 in first innings
Noman Ali: 3/76 and 100 Test wickets
The second Test starts on Saturday in Sylhet. Different pitch. Different conditions. But the same two teams. Bangladesh will go for the kill. A 2-0 series win is on the cards.
Pakistan will play for pride. And for survival in the World Test Championship.
I will be watching. You should too.
Q: How did Nahid Rana take 5 wickets?
A: He bowled fast and full. Three wickets in 18 balls after tea. Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, and Noman Ali all fell to his pace.
Q: Why did Pakistan lose despite a small target?
A: Top order collapse. 21 for 3. No recovery from there. The pitch helped spin and variable bounce made batting difficult.
Q: What is the series status now?
A: Bangladesh leads 1-0. The second Test starts soon in Sylhet.
Q: Was this Bangladesh's biggest Test win?
A: One of their best. Beating Pakistan by 104 runs on home soil. Chasing down a target of 268 turned into a massacre.
Thecricbuzz is a well putative cricket website which allows cricket fans to scrutinize and deplete the match data provided. We give the supporters a voice and help them become closer to their favourite players. As well as, Thecricbuzz is one of the fastest growing website in the cricket community.
© Copyright 2026
All Rights Reserved.





