SYLHET (Sports Desk) –Bangladesh national cricket team defeated Pakistan national cricket team by 78 runs in the second Test on Wednesday to complete a historic 2-0 series clean sweep in Sylhet.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam starred with the ball, claiming six wickets as Pakistan, chasing a daunting target of 437, were bowled out for 328 during the opening session of the fifth day.
Pakistan resumed play at 316-7, with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan fighting hard with a determined 94-run knock off 166 deliveries. Rizwan added 54 runs for the eighth wicket alongside Sajid Khan, who scored 28.
Taijul dismissed Sajid to complete his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket before Shoriful Islam removed Rizwan in the following over, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes of a comeback. Taijul later wrapped up the innings by taking the wicket of Khurram Shahzad, finishing with impressive figures of 6-120.
The spinner had also contributed with 3-67 in Pakistan’s first innings total of 232.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted 278 in their first innings, powered by a century from Litton Das, who scored 126. In the second innings, veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim led the charge with 137, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 52 and Litton chipped in with 69 to help Bangladesh reach 390.
Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh had already secured the opening Test by 104 runs.
After the defeat, Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted his side failed to perform consistently across the match.
He said Pakistan made several mistakes during the first three innings, which prevented their late fightback from producing a victory. Masood added that Test cricket demands consistency and resilience, stressing that no team can expect easy contests at the highest level.
