Bangladesh’s 78-run win in Sylhet did more than seal a 2-0 series sweep. It gave them a fourth successive Test win over Pakistan, took them above Pakistan to seventh in the ICC Test rankings, and extended a reversal that began only in 2024, when Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the format for the first time.
Across the two Tests, the contrast was clearest in the passages that turned the series. When Bangladesh were under pressure, their experienced players repeatedly produced the innings or spells that changed the match. Pakistan had contributions from senior names too, but too few came in the passages that could have pulled the Tests back their way.
In the first Test in Dhaka, Bangladesh were reeling at 31-2 after Pakistan opted to bowl, but captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque added 170 for the third wicket. Shanto made 101, Mominul 91, and Mushfiqur Rahim later contributed 71 as Bangladesh reached 413. Mohammad Abbas, returning to the side, took five wickets, while Shaheen Afridi bowled 31.1 overs for three. Pakistan had early wickets and later took the last six for 75, but could not create enough sustained pressure against Bangladesh’s senior batters.
Pakistan’s reply of 386 kept them close, with debutant Azan Awais making 103. Another newcomer, Abdullah Fazal, made 60, while Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan added fifties. But Pakistan still conceded a 27-run lead. The innings had individual resistance, but not enough from the senior group to put them ahead.