Bangladesh had won the first Test by 10 wickets.
Litton Das’s century (138) and his seventh-wicket partnership of 165 runs with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) defied Pakistan and Khurram Shahzad’s effort of 6 for 90, as the visitors posted 262 in response to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 274.
It followed an inspired spell of fast bowling by Bangladesh pacers Hasan Mahmud (5 for 43) and Nahid Rana (4 for 44) on a green-top track, which destroyed Pakistan’s second innings as the home team was bowled out for 172, leaving the visitors a target of 185 to win.
By stumps on day four, Bangladesh had reached 43 for no loss, thanks to an attacking 33 not out off 23 balls by opener Zakir Hasan. His partner Shadman Islam was on 9 not out when stumps were drawn.
The home teams insipid show left former Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shahzad livid.
“Bangladeshi bowlers ne Pakistan ke ballebazon ko fir se tigni ka naach nachaya hai (Bangladesh bowlers have stunned Pakistan batsmen once again),” Shahzad could be heard saying on a video he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We are seeing T20 shot selection. The bat is so far away from the body on the shots they are getting out on. Coaches question you on such shots even in T20 and T10 cricket.”
Allrounder Agha Salman was Pakistan’s top-scorer in the second innings, with a knock of 47, while the top-scorer in the match for Pakistan was opener Saim Ayub, who made 58 in the first innings.
“Aap apni galtiyon se seekh hi nahi rahe hain (you are not learning from your mistakes). You don’t have that charm anymore. Hum log galti kar rahe hain aapse ummeedein laga ke (we are making a mistake by attaching hopes to you) or the fans are doing that mistake because you are playing with their emotions in such a way,” Shahzad continued.
“Bangladesh have come and created history by beating you in the first Test and now dominating in the second. It is not a fluke. When you lose to Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, these things are not fluke. It is the reality of Pakistan, you have brought it to this stage.”
Shahzad went on to add that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should be held equally responsible for this nosedive in the performance of the team and needs to stop its distracting tactics.
“I don’t hold only the players responsible. The PCB is as much responsible for this (downfall) because some things were right before us. Some decisions we had to take, but we did the same old thing of saying things on TV and tried to distract the people,” the former batsman said.
“Uske baad hum soch rahe the ke Bangladesh team aayegi, unko toh hum hara hi lenge (Then we were thinking we will be able to beat Bangladesh easily). And when we beat them, then the anger among people will cool down. So we will start the Pakistan Cup in the meantime.”
“All this play of yours has backfired in your face.”