Taijul Islam starred with a six-for as Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan in Sylhet to complete a 2-0 series sweep, their first home series win over Pakistan
The Test match in Sylhet ended in dramatic fashion as Bangladesh bowled out Pakistan for 328 while defending a target of 437, sealing a historic home series victory. The final day belonged to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, whose match-defining figures helped the hosts complete a 2-0 sweep after an earlier win in Pakistan in 2026.
The match combined disciplined bowling, important batting contributions and an emotionally charged atmosphere that at times spilled into on-field exchanges.
Across both innings Bangladesh produced notable individual performances. In the first innings Litton Das made a century, while in the second veteran Mushfiqur Rahim compiled a pivotal 137.
Those runs built a platform: Bangladesh posted 278 in the first dig and then 390 in the second, propelled by contributions from Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Litton Das. Pakistan’s chase looked feasible at stages but the spin of Taijul and a cohesive bowling effort ultimately proved decisive.
How the final day unfolded
Pakistan resumed the last day in pursuit of 437 with the scoreboard reading 316-7. Mohammad Rizwan provided resistance with a determined knock, earlier recorded as an unbeaten 75 at stumps on day four, and ultimately finishing on 94 as he sought to drag the chase home. Rizwan and Sajid Khan added an eighth-wicket partnership of 54, a stand that briefly rekindled Pakistan’s hopes. However, the partnership was ended when Taijul struck to dismiss Sajid, and shortly after Shoriful Islam removed Rizwan, extinguishing the visitors’ chances.
Taijul Islam and the bowling that delivered
Taijul Islam produced the defining spell of the match, returning match figures that included a devastating 6-120 in the fourth-innings effort. He also picked up 3-67 in Pakistan’s first innings, underscoring his influence across the match. The left-armer’s ability to extract turn and exploit pressure moments broke key partnerships and forced a collapse that ended with Khurram Shahzad as the final wicket. Taijul’s performance included what was reported as his 18th Test five-wicket haul during the contest, a milestone that ignited celebrations among the home supporters.
Supporting cast and fielding
Bangladesh’s collective effort extended beyond Taijul. Pacers and other spinners shared the workload, maintaining tight lines and exploiting sticky patches. Fielders backed the bowlers with sharp work, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto marshalled his resources effectively to close out the match. The disciplined approach in the field and on the deck turned Pakistan’s late resistance into a manageable target, ensuring Bangladesh could protect their scoreboard advantage and clinch the series.
Batting backbone and series context
The series win was built on several substantial batting contributions. In the first innings Litton Das scored 126, while the home side’s second innings was anchored by Mushfiqur Rahim with 137. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Litton added useful supporting scores of 52 and 69 respectively, helping Bangladesh compile 390 in their second innings. Those totals set a challenging target and underscored the balance between top-order resilience and middle-order support that defined Bangladesh’s success across both Tests.
Historical significance and aftermath
This result marked Bangladesh’s first ever Test series victory at home against Pakistan and extended a run of dominance that included a 2-0 series win in Pakistan in 2026. The two-Test sweep will be viewed as a major milestone in Bangladesh cricket history, signaling progress in both their spin resources and batting depth. Emotions ran high throughout the series, reflected in moments of on-field sledging and heated exchanges, particularly during the fourth-innings fightback, which added an intense backdrop to an already competitive series.
In summary, the Sylhet Test combined tactical bowling, timely batting and a charged atmosphere to produce a memorable victory for Bangladesh. Taijul Islam‘s match-turning spell, Mashfiqur and Litton’s runs, and a disciplined team performance delivered a landmark achievement: a first home Test series triumph over Pakistan, a result that will resonate in Bangladesh cricket for years to come.
