Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pakistan crush Bangladesh by innings in first Test

Pakistan completed a crushing innings-and-44-run victory over Bangladesh on the fourth morning on Monday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 168 in their second innings after resuming the day on 126-6 as Pakistan's pace and spin attack was too hot to handle despite a flat Rawalpindi stadium pitch.


Fast bowler Naseem Shah, who at 16 years and 359 days became the youngest bowler to take a Test hat-trick on Sunday, finished with 4-26 and was declared man of the match.

Despite Naseem being unavailable to bowl on Monday with rib pain, Pakistan mopped up the last four wickets in 90 minutes, inflicting their 10th defeat on Bangladesh in 11 matches with one draw.

Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali said home wins -- only possible in recent months, after the resumption of Test cricket in Pakistan following a decade's isolation over security concerns -- were important to boost confidence.

"It's an important win and home wins always increase confidence within the team," said Azhar. "We have to play important away series including one in England (July-August this year) so we will carry this confidence.

"Naseem and other bowlers bowled superbly and it was an outstanding batting display, so all in all it was a complete team effort."

Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque started the day by square-driving paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi for his fifth boundary in the first over, but then fell leg-before in the same over for 41.

Liton Das (29) and tail-ender Rubel Hossain kept Pakistan at bay for 11.5 overs before Mohammad Abbas trapped Rubel leg-before for five.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah dismissed Das lbw and had Abu Jayed for three to finish with 4-58 and complete the win.

- 'Disappointing batting' -

Haque rued Bangladesh's low first-innings total.

"Disappointing batting on a flat wicket (in the first innings) and no team can come back from such situations," said Haque, who has now lost all three Tests as skipper by an innings.

"Pakistan bowled superbly and exploited our weaknesses and that hat-trick changed the game completely to open Pakistan's victory path."

With the victory, Pakistan gained 60 points in the World Test Championship, taking their tally to 140 points.

India lead the nine-team championship table with 360 points followed by Australia (246) and England 146.

Top two teams on the championship table will play the final at Lord's in June 2021.

Pakistan's victory was on the cards after they bowled Bangladesh out for 233 in the first innings and then piled up 445 in reply, with Babar Azam smashing 143 and Shan Masood 100.

This becomes Bangladesh's sixth defeat in 14 months, including their fifth by an innings. They have yet to score a championship point in three Tests.

The second Test starts in Karachi -- after a two-month break -- from April 5-9.

Bangladesh, who played a three-match Twenty20 series with Pakistan last month, insisted on splitting their tour into three phases over security concerns.

They will also play a one-day international in Karachi (April 3) before the second Test.

More For You

KL-Rahul-BCCI

KL Rahul struck 12 fours to reach his century. (Photo credit: BCCI)

Rahul's ton puts India in control against West Indies in Ahmedabad Test

KL RAHUL scored his 11th Test century to put India ahead of West Indies on day two of the opening Test in Ahmedabad on Friday.

India reached 218-3 at lunch, with a 56-run lead over the visitors. Captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for 50, the only wicket to fall in the morning session at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester synagogue

Members of a forensic team work at the scene outside the Manchester synagogue after the attack. (Photo: Reuters)

Manchester synagogue victims named after Yom Kippur attack

Highlights:

  • Police name victims as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66
  • Attacker Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, shot dead by police within minutes
  • Three others remain in hospital with serious injuries
  • Prime minister Keir Starmer chairs emergency meeting, vows stronger security

POLICE have named the two men killed in the attack on a synagogue in Manchester as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cynthia Erivo shakes up Strictly Come Dancing as guest mentor for Movie Week ahead of ‘Wicked’ film release

Strictly Come Dancing brings back Cynthia Erivo to guide celebrities in Wicked-inspired Movie Week performances

Getty Images

Cynthia Erivo shakes up Strictly Come Dancing as guest mentor for Movie Week ahead of ‘Wicked’ film release

Highlights:

  • Erivo returns to the BBC dance show in a new role.
  • She will advise contestants during Movie Week.
  • The professional dancers are doing a Wicked performance.
  • She previously served as a guest judge.
  • The move ties in with her new film release.

Strictly Come Dancing has called in Cynthia Erivo for special duties. The award-winning performer will act as a guest mentor when the show holds its Movie Week. This marks a fresh job for Erivo on the programme after she previously served as a judge. She is expected to guide the celebrities through their big screen themed routines.

Strictly Come Dancing brings back Cynthia Erivo to guide celebrities in Wicked-inspired Movie Week performances Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco raises profit outlook as shoppers favour competitive prices

Customers look at the fruits and vegetables section at the Tesco supermarket, in Aylesbury, England. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Tesco raises profit outlook as shoppers favour competitive prices

BRITAIN's largest retailer Tesco on Thursday (2) raised its 2025/2026 profit guidance as the supermarket chain won customers with competitive prices.

Group adjusted operating profit is now expected to reach between £2.9 billion and £3.1bn, up from a previous forecast of £2.7bn to £3bn, Tesco said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Met misconduct
Metropolitan Police
Getty Images

Starmer calls for crackdown on Met misconduct following BBC expose

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Thursday (2) called for a "robust" response by the head of London's under-fire Metropolitan Police after a BBC undercover report showed officers using excessive force and making racist and misogynistic comments.

The expose is the latest embarrassment for the Met which had pledged to clean up its act after a string of shocking scandals.

Keep ReadingShow less