Bangladesh completed a historic 2-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan with a 78-run victory in the second Test in Sylhet on Wednesday, securing their first-ever whitewash against the former world champions.
Chasing a daunting target of 437, Pakistan were bowled out for 358 on the fifth and final day despite a determined resistance from wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.
The visitors resumed the day on 316 for seven needing another 121 runs, with Rizwan unbeaten and leading Pakistan's hopes of an unlikely escape.
Rizwan fought hard for 94 and shared valuable lower-order partnerships to frustrate Bangladesh during the morning session. But the hosts maintained relentless pressure before wrapping up the innings dramatically by taking the final three wickets without adding to the total.
Fast bowler Shoriful Islam delivered the decisive breakthrough when he dismissed Rizwan, while spinner Taijul Islam finished the innings by removing Khurram Shahzad to trigger jubilant celebrations among the home players and crowd.
Taijul starred with six wickets in the innings on a deteriorating Sylhet pitch, while Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided important support throughout Pakistan's chase.
Bangladesh's victory was built on crucial contributions from their experienced middle order after the hosts had recovered from difficult positions earlier in the match.
In the first innings, Litton Das rescued Bangladesh with a counterattacking 126 after the hosts had slumped to 116 for six.
Pakistan replied with 232, conceding a 46-run deficit as Bangladesh's bowlers kept the visitors under pressure.
Bangladesh then strengthened their position in the second innings through a commanding batting display led by veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored 137 to become Bangladesh's leading Test centurion with 14 hundreds.
Litton added another important 69 as Bangladesh posted 390 and set Pakistan a challenging fourth-innings target.
Pakistan showed resistance through captain Shan Masood, Salman Agha and Rizwan, but Bangladesh's disciplined bowling attack consistently struck at crucial moments to maintain control of the contest.
The series triumph followed Bangladesh's victory in the opening Test in Dhaka and marked one of the most significant achievements in the country's Test cricket history.
The clean sweep also extended Pakistan's struggles in away Test cricket, while Bangladesh celebrated another major step forward under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
