BAN Vs PAK Highlights, 2nd Test Day 5: Taijul Stars As Bangladesh Beat Pakistan By 78 Runs, Sweep Series 2-0

Equation is simple on the fifth and final day of the 2nd BAN vs PAK Test - Bangladesh require three wickets to seal victory whereas Pakistan need 121 runs to level the Test series.

“There is hope, of course,” Pakistan batting coach Asad Shafiq said. “The way our batting unit performed today gives us confidence. There are 121 runs left and Rizwan is batting really well. ... If another partnership develops and goes long, we have a chance.”

We have a delayed start in Sylhet. The early morning rain has left some wet patches in the Sylhet cricket stadium with the groundsmen making it ready to play. We will start in twenty minutes from now.

Taskin Ahmed charges in with rhythm and pace, angling one into the corridor of uncertainty. It straightens just enough after pitching, forcing Mohammad Rizwan to play. He pokes at it tentatively, only for the ball to whistle past the outside edge, beaten all ends up, and still no run.

Taskin Ahmed keeps probing, bangs it in short around off, and Mohammad Rizwan looks anything but comfortable. He hops awkwardly to defend, only to get a thick inside edge onto the pads.

The ball trickles past the off-stump, and for a moment, it feels like it might sneak back onto the stumps, not this time though. A lucky escape, and no run. Bangladesh bowlers are keeping it tight.

Pakistan need 84 runs for victory with Mohammad Rizwan in the 90s. He is given good company by Sajid Khan, who has come battling with a 26-ball 30. PAK are not completely out of this yet. Few nerves must be jangling in the Bangladeshi camp.

In the space of four overs, Pakistan have lost two wickets and are facing another series sweep at the hands of Bangladesh. Mohammad Rizwan fell six short of his century as the hosts edged ever so closer to a series win, and help them climb up the WTC table.

Bangladesh have made history today! They have whitewashed Pakistan for the first time at home. They beat Shan Masood's side by 78 runs in the 2nd Test, to sweep series. What a massive achievement from the Bangla Tigers. They were reeling at 118/6, but Litton Das gave them hope in the 1st innings. After that, it was the bowlers' turn as they bowled out PAK on 232. A massive target was always going to be a test for PAK, who did give it a good try with Mohammad Rizwan, but Taijul Islam's six-fer made sure, the hosts had the series wrapped up!

 (on the loss in the second Test) A lot of mistakes. When you make 360 runs in the fourth innings of a game, you kind of expect to be on the right side of it. But I think in the previous three innings, we had quite a lot to reflect on and things that put us back in the game and made the target a really big one. (on Bangladesh getting a first-innings lead after being 116 for 6) Look, I think again, especially when they were 116 for 6, the last four wickets ended up scoring a lot of runs. We missed opportunities and from there, even with the batting, when we got to 142 for 4 and there were two set batsmen in, in Test cricket you have to go big. So there are things we did in the first three innings, that’s why the effort on the fourth and fifth day didn’t really materialise into a win. (on Pakistan’s struggles in Test cricket and the way forward) Look, I think in Test cricket you’re going to be punished for any mistake you make. It’s unforgiving and Test cricket is always played by the best of the best. 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. We’ve put ourselves into positions. I can only count a couple of Test matches where we’ve been completely outplayed, but in every other Test match we’ve been in positions where we didn’t finish well, either with the ball or in the field. That’s something you have to do consistently over five days and that’s the learning this side really needs to take.

(on his century and batting with the tail) To be honest, in the last two innings I didn’t get a score, so when I got to the wicket I had no pressure that I had to go big. But suddenly a couple of wickets fell and I was a little unsure what I should do. I turned to my captain and asked what I should do. He said, “Go attacking, we need runs.” So I went and just tried to back my strengths. After the two boundaries I hit, I felt that no, this is Test cricket, I have to play a couple more overs because there is a chance of rain any day. So I thought if I could bat 10 to 15 overs more, it might become a different ball game over five days. (on refusing singles while batting with the tail) You can think like that, but at the same time if I gave them chances, probably my score would have been 50. So I was reminding myself that I had to play more balls and keep them safe because whenever they are safe, I am safe also. (on whether it was the best hundred of his career) Probably you can say that because batting with the tail is not easy and all the fielders are outside. The day one wicket was not that easy and the outfield was slow as well.

(on the special feeling of the win and his long career) Thank you so much. It really means a lot. I think the boys thoroughly deserved it because of the way they have been playing in the last two or three years, especially in the Test format. I think they deserve all the credit they are getting. (on his century and Litton Das’ contribution) To be honest, if you ask me honestly, I think Litton’s innings in the first innings was outstanding and that kept us in the game. Also, the morale in the dressing room was really high and we wanted to play for him as well. I thought the wicket were pretty good to bat on, so our initial plan was to get at least 400 or even 450-plus because I knew it was not going to be that typical day-five wicket. Our bowlers really stuck to their basics and all the credit goes to them. (on what keeps him motivated) To be honest, I am alive and playing for my country. Not everyone who wants to play for their country gets that opportunity easily. You have to work hard, you have to deserve something and you have to put in the work in the middle. That’s why I am enjoying my life and, thanks to Almighty.

The series victory has seen BAN climb to 4th in the latest WTC table with 58.33 pct. Pakistan remain ninth with 8.33 pct. The Bangla Tigers have overtaken India in the latest standings with Shubman Gill-led side in sixth place.