Taijul six-for helps Bangladesh to Pakistan whitewash

Bangladesh completed a second consecutive Test series whitewash against Pakistan with a 78-run victory in the second match of the two-match Test series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took six wickets as Bangladesh skittled out the visitors for 358 runs on the fifth morning, ending a spirited fightback led by Mohammad Rizwan.   

Taijul, brought into the attack an hour into the session as Pakistan had raced to 358 for 7 from overnight 316 for 7, stuck with his second delivery, getting Sajid Khan (28) to edge one to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto at slip.

Bangladesh's fielding had been lackadaisical up to that point, but Shanto held on as Bangladesh sensed victory. 

Another bowling change from the other end worked like magic as Shoriful Islam, who was wicketless in the Test up to that point, forced dangerman Rizwan (94) to have a slash on an angled delivery to gully where Mehidy Hasan Miraz took a well-judged catch.

Bangladesh were one wicket away from victory and the job was completed next over by the wily Taijul, who forced Khurram Shahzad (0) to a wild heave, with wide long-on competing the formality of taking the catch. 

This series win comes on the back of a 2-0 series win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi two years ago, and in doing so, Bangladesh have become only the second side after Australia to do a Test double against Pakistan. And they are the first Test team to whitewash Pakistan both at home and away.

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Heavy rain lashed Sylhet from midnight and continued intermittently into the morning, slightly delaying the start of the fifth and final day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan today.

Following an inspection of the field, play began at 10:15am, with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 91 and Sajid Khan accompanying him on 26.

The visitors still need 84 runs for victory, chasing 437-run target.

Although rain fell during Wednesday morning, the forecast suggests there is little chance of further showers for the rest of the day, despite overcast skies remaining in Sylhet.

A victory would see Bangladesh register four consecutive Test wins against the same opponent for the first time in their history. Their previous best was three straight Test victories against Zimbabwe. Winning four consecutive matches against Pakistan — two in Rawalpindi and two at home — would mark a new milestone for Bangladesh.

The win would also lift Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side to fifth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings. While much of the championship still remains, Bangladesh would move above India and England for the time being.

Bangladesh edged closer to history on Tuesday after pushing Pakistan deep into the fifth day. The hosts appeared set to wrap up the match earlier, but Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha frustrated them with a resilient 134-run partnership in the final session.

The breakthrough eventually came in the final half hour when Taijul Islam struck twice after bowling more than a third of the overs during the day, leaving Bangladesh on the verge of another 2-0 clean sweep over Pakistan.