Bangladesh scripted another landmark chapter in their Test cricket journey after defeating Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium to complete a commanding 2-0 series whitewash.
The victory marked Bangladesh’s second consecutive Test series sweep over Pakistan and reinforced the hosts’ growing stature in red-ball cricket.
After securing a breakthrough victory in the opening Test, Bangladesh once again outperformed Pakistan across batting, bowling and tactical execution to complete a memorable clean sweep.
Pakistan had made an encouraging start after electing to bowl first on a lively Sylhet wicket.
Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas struck in the opening over as Bangladesh suffered an early collapse and slumped to 116 for six against disciplined pace bowling.
Just as the innings appeared headed toward collapse, wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das launched a remarkable counterattack.
His century transformed Bangladesh’s fortunes and carried the hosts to a competitive first-innings total of 278.
Khurram Shahzad led Pakistan’s bowling effort with four wickets, while Abbas, Hasan Ali and Sajid Khan provided strong support.
The match, however, shifted decisively when Bangladesh bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s first innings.
Taskin Ahmed removed both openers early, reducing Pakistan to 23 for two and exposing familiar middle-order fragility.
Babar Azam attempted resistance with a composed 68 on his return to the side, but Pakistan’s recovery stalled after his dismissal by pace sensation Nahid Rana.
Bangladesh’s spinners tightened control as wickets fell steadily, restricting Pakistan to slightly above 230 and handing the hosts a valuable 46-run first-innings lead.
That advantage proved decisive.
Bangladesh capitalized fully in their second innings through an experienced and measured batting display.
Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim anchored the innings with a superb 137, registering his 14th Test century and frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers through patience and precision.
Litton Das continued his impressive form with a fluent 69, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy added an important half-century at the top.
The combined effort pushed Bangladesh into a commanding position and set Pakistan an imposing target of 437 on a deteriorating fifth-day pitch.
Pakistan’s chase initially appeared unlikely, but the visitors produced a spirited response.
Captain Shan Masood struck 71 and Babar Azam added 47 before left-arm spinner Taijul Islam broke through and shifted momentum back toward Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s resistance strengthened further through a determined 134-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.
The stand revived hopes of an unlikely escape and briefly unsettled the hosts.
Salman scored 71 before Taijul eventually ended the partnership late on Day Four.
Rizwan remained unbeaten overnight on 75, keeping Pakistan’s hopes alive entering the final morning.
Pakistan attempted one last push on Day Five as Rizwan and Sajid Khan accelerated scoring.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then made what proved a decisive tactical call by reintroducing Taijul Islam into the attack.
The spinner delivered immediately.
Taijul dismissed Sajid Khan for 28 to claim his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Soon afterward, Rizwan’s brave innings ended heartbreakingly short of a century when he edged Shoriful Islam to gully for 94.
Taijul wrapped up the innings by removing Khurram Shahzad for a duck, finishing with impressive figures of six for 120 and nine wickets in the match.
Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 358, sealing Bangladesh’s famous 78-run victory and a flawless 2-0 series triumph.
The result further highlighted Bangladesh’s steady rise in Test cricket while renewing scrutiny of Pakistan’s recurring batting collapses and inability to convert promising starts into match-winning performances.
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