Published: 10:09 AM, 14 May 2026
Shanto, Rana shatter records in Bangladesh's historic victory
Najmul Hossain Shanto equalled Mushfiqur Rahim's record for the most Test wins as a Bangladesh captain. -BCB
Bangladesh's clinical 104-run triumph over Pakistan in Mirpur on Tuesday did more than just secure a series lead; it completely rewrote the nation's Test record books.
Led by a record-equalling performance from captainNajmulHossainShanto and a historic five-wicket haul from express pacer NahidRana, the hosts signalled a profound power shift in Asian cricket.
Rana became the first pace bowler in Bangladesh's 26-year Test history to claim five wickets in the fourth innings of a match. His devastating spell of 5-40 not only dismantled the Pakistani chase but also ended a 16-year drought for Bangladeshi seamers on home soil.
The last pacer to achieve a five-wicket haul in Bangladesh was ShahadatHossain, who took 5-71 against India in 2010.
The young speedster remained relatively quiet during the opening hour of the final session before unleashing a ferocious spell of 4.5-2-10-4 to gut the visitors' middle and lower order.
Rana's performance eclipsed the previous fourth-innings record for a Bangladeshi pacer, held by Taskin Ahmed, who took 4-37 against Afghanistan in 2023.
Upon dismissing Shaheen Shah Afridi with a sharp bouncer to seal the match, Rana performed a sajdah of gratitude, having etched his name into the record books.
Complementing Rana's breakthrough was the tactical leadership of NajmulHossainShanto, who equalledMushfiqur Rahim's record for the most Test wins as a Bangladesh captain.
Remarkably, Shanto reached the milestone of seven victories in just 17 matches - exactly half the number of games required by Mushfiqur to set the original mark.
Since taking the helm, Shanto has led the side to landmark victories against New Zealand, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, alongside a historic away sweep in Pakistan.
Shanto nearly paired his leadership record with a rare batting feat. Having scored 101 in the first innings, the left-hander fell for 87 in the second, narrowly missing the chance to become only the fourth player in cricket history to score twin centuries in a single Test on three separate occasions.
Despite the missed personal milestone, the victory consolidates Shanto's position as the face of a revitalised Bangladesh squad.
With a top order finding its rhythm and a historic resurgence from the pace battery, led by Rana, Bangladesh head into the next match with unprecedented momentum.
Earlier, Bangladesh captain NajmulHossainShanto came agonizingly close to entering an exclusive world record list at the same Test, which included just three cricketers.
Shanto scored 101 and 87 runs in the two innings against Pakistan in the opening Test, playing an important role in helping the side seal a crushing 104-run victory.
A century in the second innings would have seen him join the likes of includes Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting and David Warner who centuries in both innings for three times.
However, Shanto's innings ended in disappointment when he attempted a reverse sweep against left-arm spinner Noman Ali and was trapped lbw. The on-field decision stood after review, forcing the left-hander to depart just short of another hundred.
Shanto already holds the record of scoring centuries in both innings of a Test match twice in his career.
He first achieved the feat against Afghanistan in Mirpur in 2023 with scores of 146 and 124, steering the side to a record 546-run victory.
He replicated the achievement in Galle against Sri Lanka in June 2025 with innings of 148 and 125, although that match ended in a draw.
Had Shanto converted his 87 into a century, he would have become only the fourth batter in Test history to score hundreds in both innings of a match on three separate occasions.
