Published: 12:12 AM, 21 May 2026
Pakistan's humiliating defeat to Bangladesh
Bangladesh cricket players celebrate after winning the second Test against Pakistan. -AFP
Bangladesh completed one of the most important Test series wins in their history, beating Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test at Sylhet to seal a 2-0 sweep and extend a remarkable red-ball reversal in the rivalry. It's a historical and humiliating blow delivered to the Pakistan cricket team.
Pakistan was set 437 after Bangladesh made 278 and 390 across the two innings. The visitors fought deep into the final day through Mohammad Rizwan's 94, Shan Masood's 71, Salman Agha's 71 and Babar Azam's 47, but were bowled out for 358 as Taijul Islam finished with six wickets in the fourth innings.
The win gave Bangladesh their first Test series whitewash over Pakistan at home. It also continued their stunning recent dominance over the same opposition. Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-0 away in 2024, their first-ever Test series win over Pakistan. With the Sylhet result, they have now won four consecutive Tests against Pakistan across two series.
The foundation of the victory was laid by Litton Das in the first innings. Pakistan chose to bowl first and had Bangladesh in serious trouble at 116/6, but Litton's 126 off 159 balls dragged the hosts to 278. Khurram Shahzad took four wickets, and Mohammad Abbas claimed three, but Bangladesh had already found a way back through Litton's rescue act.
Pakistan replied with 232, giving Bangladesh a 46-run first-innings lead. Babar Azam top-scored with 68, while Sajid Khan's 38 gave the innings some late energy. Bangladesh shared the wickets well, with Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam taking three each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up two apiece.
That first-innings lead became decisive when Bangladesh stretched the match in the third innings. Mushfiqur Rahim struck 137 off 233 balls, his 14th Test century, and crossed 16,000 international runs during the innings, becoming the first Bangladesh cricketer to reach the mark. Mahmudul Hasan Joy made 52, while Litton followed his first-innings hundred with 69 as Bangladesh posted 390 and pushed Pakistan into a massive chase.
Pakistan did not surrender quietly. Shan Masood and Babar Azam gave the chase early substance before Rizwan, and Salman Agha produced the partnership that briefly threatened to take the match into dangerous territory for Bangladesh. Their 134-run stand gave Pakistan belief, and Rizwan's 94 kept the visitors alive deep into the final day.
