Pakistan beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the first Test in Chittagong on Tuesday, with Abid Ali falling just short of back-to-back centuries.
Abid Ali’s 151-run combination with fellow opener Abdullah Shafique helped conclude the game before midday on the last day, outscoring their first-innings partnership by five runs.
The couple had already made 109 overnight and were on their way to a total of 202.
Bangladesh’s first triumph came in the tenth over of the day, when Mehidy Hasan caught debutant Shafique lbw on 73 with a fuller ball.
Shafique, who had also smashed eight fours and a six in the first innings, was dismissed after hitting eight fours and a six.
Ali, who scored 133 in Pakistan’s first innings, was on the verge of being the first Pakistani to score two Test centuries in six years, following Misbah-ul-accomplishment Haq’s against Australia in 2014.
With Pakistan only 31 runs away from victory, Taijul Islam struck him in front of the middle stump with a straighter delivery.
“Staying at the wicket and putting up a partnership was our thought process. I’ve been playing domestic cricket and having a good time. That’s how I approached this game,” Ali, the contest’s man of the match, remarked.
He was greeted with a standing ovation as he left the crease, and Bangladeshi fielders complimented him on a brilliant 148-ball innings that included 12 boundaries.
After back-to-back boundaries off Mehidy, Azhar Ali (24 not out) closed the game on 58.3, with skipper Babar Azam (13 not out) unbroken at the other end.
“We came back well… and that’s what Test cricket is all about,” said Babar.
Taijul finished the game with eight wickets for the hosts, which included 7-116 in the first innings.
“We lost in the first hour in the first innings and second innings as well, but credit to them, especially Afridi and Hasan Ali. They bowled really well,” said Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque.
After bowling out Pakistan, the hosts scored 330 runs in the first innings and gained a 44-run advantage.
Liton Das, a wicketkeeper-batsman from Bangladesh, scored 114 runs in the first innings and 59 in the second.
Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi both bowled well for Pakistan, taking 5-51 and 5-32 in two innings, respectively.
From December 4 to 8, the second Test will be held in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
