Stakes were not that high until it all panned out in the final session in Dhaka on Tuesday. It was no mountain to climb for the tourists.

But that is Pakistan cricket for you where things evolve quickly – and alarmingly too. While not taking anything away from the exquisite show produced by lanky pacer Nahid Rana and company for Bangladesh, one reckons losing seven wickets for mere 44 runs does not just show screaming frailties in the batting ranks, it also explicitly depicts dangerous cracks in the country’s cricket system.

Less than a fortnight ago, the country’s entire cricket fraternity was engrossed in the Pakistan Super League fireworks. Many rejoiced mainly because Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi clinched the title. Five-day cricket, in absolute contrast, is no entertainment. It is hard, brutal and extremely serious contest, testing and stretching the best in the business. Pakistan cricketers, who feature in the PSL and other leagues, perhaps lack timely transformation too — from slam-bang T20 to strategic Test competitions.

Only an illogical and rigid Pakistan fan will dare cite Babar’s absence as an excuse. Do not forget the fact that the batter was part of the team that suffered a 2-0 Test series sweep at home to the same opponents some two years ago. He had no productive scores in that series.

When experienced pros – including Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha – wilt in a Test match when they are duly expected to contribute solidly, it badly dents the team. On the other hand, veterans Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain batted resolutely, and no wonder their team eventually succeeded after five rigorous days of the Test.

Test cricket demands unshakable technique and focus backed by endurance. Several Pakistan batters do not tick these boxes. The way Rizwan misjudged a delivery, an absolute jaffa from Nahid, does not bode well for the 42-Test veteran as well as for his team. Similarly, Shan, Imam, Saud and Salman should have risen to the occasion.

When debutants Azan Awais (103 in the first innings) and Abdullah Fazal (60 and 66) can showcase their mettle, why not the experienced ones? A big question for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the incumbent Test team management comprising head coach Sarfraz Ahmed and batting coach Asad Shafiq.

The fact that Pakistan, currently sixth on the ICC Test team table, lost to ninth-ranked Bangladesh itself remains a riddle simply because this is Pakistan’s third consecutive loss to Bangladesh in as many outings. The 2-0 sweep at home in 2024 was definitely more embarrassing as well as eye-opening. Surprisingly, prior to these last three games, Pakistan had never surrendered to Bangladesh in a Test match.

Question is: did Pakistan cricket open its eyes – to the new realities – of international cricket?

One obvious reality is that the Test team of Bangladesh, which have earned only 26 wins in 157 games, while losing as many as 112, since entering the five-day game back in 2000, have started winning matches of late against established opponents too. Besides their victories against Pakistan, Bangladesh recorded well-deserved wins against New Zealand (2023, Sylhet) and West Indies (2024, Kingston). These are in addition to the Test triumph over Zimbabwe (April 2025, Chattogram) and a 2-0 home series sweep against Ireland (November 2025).

Najmul’s post-match word for his bowlers also signalled that Bangladesh could no longer be taken for granted in five-day cricket, particularly in their backyard.

“We declared [the second innings] because we have a quality bowling attack,” the skipper said.

Azan’s skill-set and resilience shown by Abdullah are the only positives Pakistan can take from the series opener.

While Bangladesh have slowly lifted their Test credentials in recent years, Pakistan continue to languish – perhaps because they are not willing to learn smartly and evolve relatively quicker like other teams. If they don’t shape up, then there could be another series sweep in the offing in the second Test.

Pakistan’s next Test assignment is a three-match series in England this summer. If Shan and his men cannot tackle Bangladesh, then competing against Ben Stokes’ Bazballing brigade in the demanding series may well prove a Mount Everest for Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026