Test to remember: Bangladesh vs Pakistan 2024 – Who emerged victorious?

Test to remember: Bangladesh vs Pakistan 2024 – Who emerged victorious?

What a series it was! The 2024 Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan will forever go down in the pages of cricket history. Not only did Bangladesh win 2-0, but they also achieved a significant milestone—beating Pakistan at home for the first time. Played against the backdrop of the iconic cricket ground in Rawalpindi, the match had it all: tension, resilience and a thrilling finish. In case you missed it, let me explain it to you in its brilliant and often hilarious details.

Pakistan Batting: The IKEA Experience of Cricket

Pakistan’s batting lineup, which once had some of the most dependable Test players, turned into a bizarre assembly line. Watching Pakistan bat in this series was like someone trying to assemble IKEA furniture without any instructions: lots of confusion, some good starts and then – inevitably – utter chaos.

In the second Test, Pakistan scored 274 in the first innings – nothing spectacular, but enough to raise their hopes. The problem? Those hopes soon went to dust. They collapsed like a pack of cards in their second innings, getting bundled out for just 172. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, the two Bangladesh pacers, bowled with such pace that any seasoned Pakistan fan would be reminded of the Shoaib Akhtar days.

Nahid Rana in particular was a revelation. He may not have Akhtar's dangerous aura or Wasim Akram's massive physique, but he bowls very fast! The six feet two inches tall Rana bowled at 145+ kph, making the Pakistan batsmen dance like they were dodging oncoming traffic. Captain Shan Masood was not only beaten by Rana's sheer pace, but also by his own feet, which seemed frozen at the crease when a delivery came in at 144.6 kph. That ball wasn't just fast - it was a missile disguised as a cricket ball.

If you ever needed proof that Pakistan's batting lineup is bad, this was it. They looked almost as confident as someone trying to guess the next number on a lottery ticket. Their top order, which had performed brilliantly in the first Test, collapsed like an undercooked soufflé in the second innings of the second Test. Hasan Mahmood, more ruthless than a telemarketer at dinner, took 5-43. But the real star of the show was Nahid Rana, who terrorised the Pakistani batsmen with figures of 4-44. Pakistan's hopes were as thin as the air in Rawalpindi at this point.

Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz: The unsung heroes

Let's give credit where it's due - Bangladesh didn't win just because Pakistan fell apart. No, they won because they had players like Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who stepped up when their team needed them most. The two forged a partnership that can only be described as magical – if not miraculous.

At one point in the second Test, Bangladesh were reeling at 26-6. Yes, six wickets down and less than 30 runs on the board. The situation looked even more dire than it had been at a Monday morning meeting. In came Liton Das, perhaps exhibiting the calm of a Zen master, because he didn’t just survive – he thrived. For 136, Liton batted brilliantly, steadying the ship and rescuing Bangladesh from certain doom. His innings wasn’t just about technique; it was about sheer grit, determination and a bit of swagger. He played like a man possessed, flicking, driving and cutting the Pakistani bowlers.

And then there was Mehdi Hasan Miraz. If Liton was the captain of this rescue operation, Mehdi was his trusted first partner. The pair added a crucial 165 for the seventh wicket, with Mehdi contributing a crucial 78. Mehidy's approach was simple: watch the ball, hit the ball. His ability to counterattack and bring the momentum back to Bangladesh was as refreshing as an ice cold soda on a scorching summer day.

By this time, the Pakistani bowlers were looking more frustrated than someone stuck in rush hour traffic. They tried everything—bouncers, yorkers, slower balls—but Liton and Mehidy were not interested in any of it. They batted with such ease that it felt like they were playing a completely different game. By the time the partnership broke, Bangladesh had clawed their way back into the match and it was clear that Pakistan were in trouble.

Bangladesh fast bowling attack: Out-bowling Pakistan in Rawalpindi

Now, let's talk about Bangladesh's fast bowling attack. Yes, you read that right. Bangladesh out-bowled Pakistan in Rawalpindi, a city that has produced some of the fastest and most dangerous bowlers in the history of cricket. It was a significant moment for a country known more for its spinners than its fast bowlers.

Nahid Rana's spell in the second innings was lightning fast. He bowled with such aggression that it would baffle even the most seasoned batsmen.

Extracting seam movement while consistently bowling at 145+ kph was reminiscent of a young Dale Steyn. Rana's method was simple but devastating: hit hard down the deck, aim for the upper part of the off-stump and let the ball do the rest.

Meanwhile, Hasan Mahmud was all about precision and control. He may not bowl as fast as Rana, but he makes up for it with his ability to seam the ball both ways. His dismissal of rising star Abdullah Shafique in Pakistan's batting order was a masterclass in seam bowling. Hasan bowled a full-length delivery that seamed just enough to hit the edge of Shafique's bat, sending the ball straight into the hands of the slip fielder. Pakistan's top order was left shocked, wondering what just happened.

The most impressive aspect of Bangladesh's bowling attack was their teamwork. The seamers didn't rely solely on individual brilliance; they worked as a unit, keeping the pressure on Pakistan from both ends. Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam also made crucial contributions, ensuring Pakistan didn't get a moment's respite. By the time the dust settled, Bangladesh's pacers had taken 21 of the 30 Pakistani wickets that fell in the series. For a team that was long considered a one-dimensional side, this was a big step up.

Pakistan's bowling woes: Where was the fire?

On the other hand, Pakistan's famous bowling attack, which has terrorised teams over the years, appeared surprisingly flat. You would expect more from a team playing on home ground, especially in conditions that should favour their pacers. But instead of fireworks, we got damp squibs.

Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali were all part of Pakistan's fast bowling battery, but none of them could replicate the form that had made them household names. There were flashes of brilliance - Shaheen in particular bowled a few deliveries that were hard to play - but those moments were few and far between. Pakistan's bowlers seemed to lack that lethal instinct, that X-factor that made them so dangerous in the past.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two teams was how they handled pressure. Bangladesh's bowlers rose to the occasion, while Pakistan's bowlers blundered. They gave away too many loose balls, allowing Bangladesh to capitalise on every mistake. By the end of the series, it was clear that Pakistan's bowling attack had been outplayed on their own turf - a reality that was unimaginable just a few years ago.

The final chase: Calm, composed and clinical

When Bangladesh were set a target of 185 to win in the second Test, there was nervousness all around. After all, Bangladesh has a history of pulling off relatively easy chases. But this time, something was different. This time, Bangladesh were calm, composed and clinical.

Zakir Hasan set the tone with a 39-ball 40 with three fours and two sixes. His aggressive approach took the pressure off the rest of the batsmen and Pakistan's bowlers struggled to respond. By the time Zakir was dismissed, Bangladesh had added 58 for the first wicket and looked all but certain to chase down the target.

The winning moment came from the bat of Shakib Al Hasan, who sealed the win for Bangladesh with a stunning cover drive off Abrar Ahmed. It was a perfect end to the series, with two of Bangladesh's most experienced players - Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim - carrying their team to victory.

Bangladesh's win: A moment in history

In the end, this wasn't just a win for Bangladesh - it was a statement. A statement that they are no longer the underdogs, no longer the team that crumbles under pressure. This was a team that out-balled, out-batted and out-fought Pakistan in their own backyard. For the first time in history, Bangladesh had beaten Pakistan in a Test series, and they did it all in spectacular fashion.

This series will be a bitter pill for Pakistan. His poor form in Test cricket at home continues and questions will be raised about his batting, bowling and leadership. But for Bangladesh, this is a moment to be enjoyed.