CHATTOGRAM, Nov 30, 2021 (BSS)-Bangladesh failed to pull off any miracle
on day five as Pakistan comfortably chased down 202-run target to thrash the
host by eight wickets in the first cricket Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury
Stadium here today.

   Pakistan's victory looked all but sure when they ended the fourth day on
109 for no loss, leaving them needing just 93 runs to seal the deal on day
five. They took just two hours to race to the victory on day five to take a
1-0 lead in the two-match series.

   Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo hoped against the hopes, relying on
the popular saying, "anything is possible in Test cricket."

   However that was not to be as Pakistan players played risk-free cricket to
deny Bangladesh any chance to hit back.

   Opener Abid Ali missed out a back-to-back century by nine runs and that
was only scar Bangladesh could do for Pakistan.

   Abid Ali and debutant Abdullah Shafique put on a 151-run partnership for
the opening stand, their second consecutive 100-plus stand in the match to
edge Pakistan closer to victory.

   Abid who hit 133 in the first innings, struck 12 boundaries for his 91 off
148 in this innings.

   Shafique followed his 52 with 73 off 129, studded by eight fours and one
six, before offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz had him dismissed lbw to give
Bangladesh a breakthrough on the fifty day.

   Resuming the fifth day, Pakistan openers appeared to be in full control
until Miraz struck but the breakthrough came in late when a Pakistan-win was
a only possible result.

   Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam also had Abid Ali out via leg-before,
baffling him with a sharp turn. Desperate Abid Ali who was playing down the
wrong line reviewed the decision in vain.

   Azhar Ali and captain Babar Azam then completed the inevitable with the
former hitting consecutive boundaries off Miraz to sign off the game.

   Azhar was unbeaten on 24 and Azam was on 13.

   Thanks to a maiden century from Liton Das, Bangladesh racked up 330 in its
first innings. Taijul Islam claimed 7-116 as Pakistan was bowled out for 286
to hand Bangladesh a 44-run lead.

   But fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi returned figures of 5-32 to wrap up
Bangladesh's second innings for 157, that set a 202-run target for the
visitors.

   The second Test is in Dhaka from December 4-8.