Bangladesh beat Pakistan in Mirpur not because the visitors had a bad day, but because the hosts finally had a plan that held across five sessions. The experienced middle order absorbed the new-ball spell, built a total Pakistan couldn’t chase, and then a fast bowler the opposition hadn’t solved dismantled their lower order. That’s not luck. That’s a repeatable blueprint. And with Sylhet next, this squad looks increasingly capable of turning one famous win into a series that rewrites history.
Shanto’s Innings Set the Tone
Najmul Hossain Shanto didn’t just lead with the armband; he led with the bat. His 101 in the first innings gave the chase a target to aim at. His 87 in the second pushed the total Bangladesh declared on to 413 in the first innings and 240/9 in the second, setting Pakistan a target of 268.
There’s a version of this match where the captain scores 40, Bangladesh make 310, and Pakistan knock it off with two wickets to spare. Shanto didn’t let that version happen. The Player of the Match award was deserved. More than that, it was earned session by session.
Veterans Absorbed the New-Ball Spell
The detail that gets buried in headline totals is how Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim responded when Pakistan’s attack had life. Mominul played 200 balls for his 91 in the first innings, then added 56 in the second. Mushfiqur faced 179 deliveries for 71, then contributed 22 more. Neither was flashy. Both were necessary.
Player | Role | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
Najmul Hossain Shanto | Captain / Top-order | 101 | 87 |
Mominul Haque | Middle-order | 91 (200 balls) | 56 |
Mushfiqur Rahim | Wicketkeeper-batter | 71 (179 balls) | 22 |
Nahid Rana | Fast Bowler | 2/104 | 5/40 |
Taijul Islam | Spinner | 2/46 | 2/22 |
Haque and Rahim have faced better bowling attacks in worse conditions and still found ways to bat time. That experience isn’t incidental to this win; it’s the reason Rana had a target to defend.
Rana’s 5/40 Finished Pakistan Off
Defending 268 on a Mirpur surface, Bangladesh needed their bowler to land the kill. Nahid Rana did exactly that. His 5/40 in the second innings demolished Pakistan’s middle and lower order and ended the chase at 163. Bangladesh won by 104 runs.
This was Rana’s first Test five-wicket haul against Pakistan and his second overall in international cricket. He’s taken 3 five-wicket hauls across formats in the last two months. Pakistan didn’t have an answer. Not for the pace, not for the angle, not for the consistency at a length that gave their batters no room. Taijul Islam’s 2/22 from the spin end kept the pressure on the other side, and Pakistan’s batting never found a way through either of them.
Bangladesh Test vs Pakistan Records Shift
Before Mirpur, Pakistan led the head-to-head 12-2 in Tests. That’s a record built across decades of dominance. Bangladesh has now won their last 3 Tests against Pakistan, including an away series win in 2024 and their first-ever home Test win in May 2026.
The WTC table confirms the shift. Bangladesh entered the match with 4 points. After this win, they sit on 16 and have moved to 6th place. Pakistan, which dropped to 12 points, is now 7th. One Test, 104 runs, and the power dynamic between these sides looks nothing like it did two years ago.
Sylhet Can Seal the Series
Shanto’s squad travels to Sylhet knowing exactly what works. Taijul’s spin on that surface is a different challenge for any batting line-up. Rana, with confidence and rhythm, is the kind of bowler who wins Tests in back-to-back matches. If Mominul and Mushfiqur replicate their Mirpur solidity, Bangladesh doesn’t just win a series. They announce that the WTC 2025-27 cycle is theirs to compete in.
Is this the moment Bangladesh stops being a Test team that upsets sides occasionally and becomes one that wins series deliberately? Drop your verdict in the comments.
FAQs
Has Bangladesh ever beaten Pakistan in a home Test before?
No, the Mirpur victory in May 2026 was Bangladesh’s first-ever home Test win against Pakistan. Before this result, Pakistan led the all-time head-to-head record 12-2, with Bangladesh’s two wins both coming in away conditions.
What are Bangladesh’s current WTC points in 2026?
Bangladesh jumped to 16 points and 6th place in the WTC 2025-27 standings after their 104-run win over Pakistan in Mirpur. They entered the match with just 4 points and climbed past Pakistan, who dropped to 12 points and 7th place.
Who took the most wickets for Bangladesh vs Pakistan in the first Test?
Nahid Rana was Bangladesh’s standout bowler, claiming 5/40 in the second innings to bowl Pakistan out for 163. It was his first Test five-for against Pakistan and his second international five-wicket haul overall, part of 3 five-fors in the last two months of Bangladesh Test cricket.
How many Test wins does Bangladesh have against Pakistan now?
Bangladesh has won their last 3 Tests against Pakistan, including the away series in 2024 and their first home win in Mirpur in 2026. Pakistan previously held a commanding 12-2 advantage in the all-time head-to-head.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.