SYLHET: Spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets to lead Bangladesh to a 78-run win over Pakistan in the second Test and clinch a famous 2-0 series win here at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan, who started the fifth day on 316-7 chasing a record 437, were bowled out for 358 in the first session after Mohammad Rizwan hit a valiant 94.

It was Bangladesh’s first Test series win at home against Pakistan and a second successive sweep after their 2-0 triumph on Pakistan soil in 2024.

This was Pakistan’s third loss in a row, having lost the second Test of the home series against South Africa last October in Rawalpindi.

The memorable win marked another major milestone for Bangladesh, who secured four successive Test series victories for the first time in their history.

“Our fast bowlers did a great job in hot conditions, on a flat wicket,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain said.

“That is something we always wanted to improve. In batting, sometimes we lost too many wickets, but nowadays we have brilliant partnerships. Our tailenders also contribute a lot.”

The skipper continued, “It’s difficult to explain the emotions of that final hour because Pakistan were batting really well and we were under pressure.

“But compared to previous matches, we controlled our emotions better and avoided panic. Every player and member of the support staff contributed, and as captain I feel very proud of the team’s work ethic.”

Wicket-keeper/batter Rizwan kept Pakistan in the hunt for an unlikely win with a 166-ball stay after the visitors had slumped to 162-5 on day four.

Rizwan put on an eighth-wicket partnership of 54 with overnight partner Sajid Khan, who made 28.

Taijul broke through to dismiss Sajid for his 18th Test five-wicket haul and pace bowler Shoriful Islam had Rizwan caught in the next over to end Pakistan’s resistance.

“It’s never good to lose games,” said Pakistan skipper Shan Masood who suffered the 12th loss in a Test as captain in 16 outings. The left-hander was given the Test reins in November 2023 after Babar Azam resigned from the position.

“In both matches we had significant chances, but we need to reflect on where we lost the game in batting, bowling and fielding if we want to move forward as a side.

“When you make 360 runs in the fourth innings of a game, you kind of expect to be on the right side of it.

“In Test cricket, you’re going to be punished for any mistake you make. It’s unforgiving... You’re not going to get any easy games and you really have to grind results out. I think that’s what we need to do as a side.”

Taijul took the final wicket of Khurram Shahzad to return second-innings figures of 6-120 and trigger the Bangladesh celebrations.

Taijul’s four wickets on Tuesday had left Pakistan in deep trouble.

Babar counter-attacked with 47 before wicketkeeper Litton Das produced a stunning catch off Taijul.

Shan made 71, while Salman Ali Agha contributed 71 in a crucial 134-run sixth-wicket stand with Rizwan before Taijul broke through.

Taijul, a left-arm spinner, also took 3-67 during Pakistan’s first innings 232.

Litton, who was named player-of-the-match, scored 126 in Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 278.

Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim scored 137 in the second to guide Bangladesh to 390, with contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy (52) and Litton (69).

The 39-year-old Mushfiqur was named player-of-the-series for his 253 runs in two matches.

Bangladesh’s consecutive victories lifted them to seventh place in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, while Pakistan’s campaign suffered another setback after they were already docked eight WTC points for a slow over-rate in the first Test. They are now eighth in the 10-team table, above West Indies and bottom side Zimbabwe.Pakistan’s next Test assignment is a tour to England for a three-game series in August-September this year.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH (1st Innings) 278 (Litton Das 126; Khurram Shahzad 4-81)

PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 232 (Babar Azam 68; Nahid Rana 3-60)

BANGLADESH (2nd Innings) 390 (Mushfiqur Rahim 137, Litton Das 69, Mahmudul Hasan 52; Khurram Shahzad 4-86, Sajid 3-126, Hasan 2-83)

PAKISTAN (2nd Innings, overnight 316-7):

Azan Awais lbw b Mehidy21

Abdullah Fazal c Mehidy b Nahid6

Shan Masood c Mahmudul b Taijul71

Babar Azam c Litton b Taijul47

Saud Shakeel c Litton b Nahid6

Salman Ali Agha b Taijul71

Mohammad Rizwan c Mehidy b Shoriful94

Hasan Ali c Najmul b Taijul0

Sajid Khan c Najmul b Taijul28

Khurram Shahzad c Tanzid b Taijul0

Mohammad Abbas not out0

EXTRAS (B-10, LB-1, NB-3)14

TOTAL (all out, 97.2 overs)358

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-27 (Abdullah), 2-41 (Azan), 3-133 (Babar), 4-154 (Saud), 5-162 (Shan), 6-296 (Salman), 7-304 (Hasan), 8-358 (Sajid), 9-358 (Rizwan)

BOWLING: Taskin 12-1-62-0 (3nb), Shoriful 12-4-29-1, Nahid 18-3-71-2, Mehidy 20-1-62-1, Taijul 34.2-4-120-6, Mominul 1-0-3-0

RESULT: Bangladesh won by 78 runs.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Litton Das

SERIES: Bangladesh won the two-match series 2-0.

MAN-OF-THE-SERIES: Mushfiqur Rahim

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2026