Taijul Islam's six wickets lead Bangladesh to historic 78-run victory over Pakistan

Taijul’s tactical triumph seals Bangladesh's Victory! The final morning began with high drama as Pakistan’s overnight batters counter-attacked aggressively, adding 40 quickfire runs to unnerve the hosts. Recognizing the danger, Najmul Hossain Shanto made a decisive tactical masterstroke by handing the ball to Taijul Islam. The left-arm orthodox spinner immediately turned the game on its head, halting the visitors' momentum and triggering a swift final collapse. Despite a heroic, top-scoring effort of 94 from Rizwan and resilient lower-order resistance from Sajid Khan, Taijul's brilliant spell proved insurmountable, bowling Bangladesh to a historic 78-run victory.

Rizwan and Salman fuel a Day 4 thriller - Facing an improbable chase, Pakistan mounted a spirited fightback on Day 4 behind a captain's knock of 71 from Shan Masood and a composed 47 from Babar Azam. Taijul Islam halted their momentum by dismissing both set batters, but his joy was short-lived as Pakistan's lower-middle order dug in. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha orchestrated a magnificent 134-run partnership, shifting the pressure back onto the hosts and turning a processing victory into a genuine thriller. Taijul broke the agonizing stand by bowling Salman for 71, but Rizwan stood unbeaten on 75, leaving Pakistan trailing by 121 runs with three wickets remaining at Stumps on Day 4.

Mushfiqur’s mastery sets a mountainous target - Bangladesh capitalised on their psychological advantage, batting with supreme authority in the second innings to firmly shut out the visitors. Mushfiqur Rahim was the architect of this dominance, compiling a majestic 137 to notch his 14th Test century. He was brilliantly mirrored by Litton Das, who rode his luck through multiple lifelines to stroke a stylish 69, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy laid the foundation with a solid fifty. Bangladesh set Pakistan a monumental fourth-innings target of 437 runs on a rapidly deteriorating pitch.

Pakistan crumble against Taskin and spin - Pakistan's response was was marred by a top-order collapse under intense pressure on Day 2. Taskin Ahmed’s fiery new-ball spell removed both openers early, reducing the visitors to a precarious 23 for 2. Aside from a fluent, well-crafted 68 from the returning Babar Azam, the middle order capitulated completely after his dismissal by Nahid Rana. Highly regarded specialists fell in rapid succession to Bangladesh's relentless spin duo. A late, aggressive 38-run cameo from Sajid Khan pushed Pakistan past 230, but a clinical cleanup by Rana and Taijul Islam handed Bangladesh a vital 46-run first-innings lead.

Early inroads and Litton’s rescue act - Opting to bowl first on a responsive Sylhet surface, Pakistan reaped immediate rewards. Mohammad Abbas struck in the opening over, setting off a top-order collapse that left Bangladesh reeling at 116 for 6 against a disciplined seam attack. The tide turned when Litton Das took absolute control, anchoring the innings with a brilliant, counter-attacking century. His lone-warrior effort dragged the hosts to a fighting first-innings total of 278. Khurram Shahzad led Pakistan’s bowling with an impressive four-wicket haul, well-supported by Abbas, Hasan Ali, and Sajid Khan.

W

Overs97.2

Score358 - 10

Taijul Islam to Khurram Shahzad, OUT! TAKEN! That will bring Taijul Islam's sixth wicket, and the game is done and dusted. Flighted and fuller, around off. Khurram Shahzad clears his front foot and goes for a wild heave. He does connect the ball, but doesn't get enough power and hits the shot toward deep mid-wicket. Tanzid Hasan moves to his right and takes a well-judged catch, just in front of the fence. Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 78 runs and have won the series 2-0.

DRINKS! A hydration pause is called immediately following the breakthrough of Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan's promising start to the day has completely dissolved, replicating old failures where potential fails to yield results. Both set overnight batters collapsed in a heartbeat. Bangladesh now commands the final stretch of their march toward a comprehensive series whitewash. While the final pair mathematically remains in play, chasing this deficit is nearly an impossible mountain to climb without a miraculous turnaround. Also, Mohammad Abbas is the final batter to walk out.

W

Overs96.1

Score358 - 9

Shoriful Islam to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT! CAUGHT! Unless there is some miracle, this is surely the final nail on the coffin. Shoriful Islam comes over the wicket and bowls on the back of a good length, angling it away from the batter. Mohammad Rizwan rocks back and awkwardly tries to block it to the off side. The ball takes the outside edge and flies low toward the gully region. Mehidy Hasan Miraz gets down to his left and takes a sharp catch around his shin height. Just a wicket and this match will be written in the history books of cricket. Kudos to Mohammad Rizwan for bringing the game this close, but he will surely regret not winning it for the team. He had a fantastic knock, scoring 94 off 166 balls.

W

Overs95.2

Score358 - 8

Taijul Islam to Sajid Khan, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! A crucial breakthrough for Bangladesh and it's once again the left-armed wizard who gets it. It's FIVE-FER for Taijul as well. He tosses it up, fuller, pitching it just outside off and turns it away from the batter. Sajid Khan gets on his front foot and looks to block it, but the ball grips and kisses the outside edge before going into the cusp of Najmul Hossain Shanto, who moves to his left to take the catch. Bangladesh are just two wickets away from winning it.

0

Overs94.4

Score356 - 7

Nahid Rana to Mohammad Rizwan, Full-length delivery, just outside off, shaping in. Mohammad Rizwan gets on his fornt foot and defends it back to the bowler. Rana gives a false throw at the striker's end and gives a death pace bowler's stare at him.

0

Overs92.4

Score353 - 7

Nahid Rana to Sajid Khan, In the air... but landed safely! Back of a length yet again from Rana, on leg. Sajid Khan clears his front foot and tries to pull it but fails to get the connection right. The ball hits the top edge and loops toward the short fine leg region. Litton Das chases the skier but fails to get there in time. Sajid Khan gets luckily this time.

4

Overs91.2

Score349 - 7

Taskin Ahmed to Sajid Khan, FOUR! What a shot that is! Back of a length, just outside off, Sajid Khan makes room and pokes it over the second slip fielder. There is the deep third as well, but the ball bounces off to his right for a boundary.