PAK vs BAN: Three reasons why Pakistan lost 1st Test vs Bangladesh by 10 wickets

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PAK vs BAN: Things change fast in cricket, and it was proved once again as Bangladesh registered their first-ever Test win against Pakistan by winning the series opener in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets.

Pakistan had nine wickets in their hand when the Day 5 started. Bangladesh had an upper hand, but Pakistan, who declared their first innings at 448/6, were expected to inflict a draw in their home conditions.

Also, Bangladesh finished their first innings at 565, and conditions were considered very suitable for batting. In fact, the pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium had come under scrutiny for producing a snoozefest.

However, things changed drastically on Day 5, and the match ended in the favour of Bangladesh even before the start of the third session. Let's have a look at three reasons why Pakistan lost to Bangladesh for the first time in Test cricket.

• Questionable team selection: Bangladesh spinners picked seven wickets on the final day. Veteran left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan picked three wickets, while off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with four wickets for 21 runs in just 11.5 overs only.

Well set Abdullah Shafique, first innings centurions Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, and Agha Salman lost their wickets to spin bowling. The Bangladesh spinners capitalised on the little opportunity, and proved a pivotal role in helping their team script history.

On the contrary, Pakistan opted to play the match with an all-pace attack. Star leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was released from the squad to play for Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh A.

Bangladesh were five down for 218 in the first innings, but later managed to post 565 and take a handy 117-run lead. Pakistan used 46 overs of part-time spinner Agha Salman, who failed to take any wicket. Saud Shakeel also bowled two overs of left-arm spin, while other part-time left-arm spinner Saim Ayub bowled seven overs and picked the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan.

Pakistan captain Shah Masood admitted that the pitch did not behave as per their anticipation. The hosts might have missed the trick by not playing a specialist spinner.

• Below-par batting: Pakistan were 16/3 in the first innings, and if not from the hundreds from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, would have failed to score 448/6 before making the declaration.

Rizwan was unbeaten on 171 when Pakistan declared. Taking the call was definitely backed by the belief the top-order will not collapse twice in a row. However, they faltered once again in the second innings. Apart from Rizwan and Shafique, no Pakistan batter showed restraint. Babar Azam, who was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, failed twice in a row. To add salt to their wound, Shakeel also departed for a duck under pressure.

The glaring collapse in home conditions should be a massive worry for Pakistan, who were harbouring dreams of playing in the WTC final next year, ahead of the series. The application shown by Bangladesh batters despite not arriving in Pakistan in a desired frame of mind is something Pakistan should have learnt after the first innings.

• Bangladesh's higher will to win: Bangladesh arrived in Pakistan a few days in advance due to the political and civil unrest in their country. They even saw PM Sheikh Hasina flee from Bangladesh, and resign from her post. Parts of Bangladesh are also suffering due to floods.

The players wanted to win the game for their people back home. They were also determined to break Pakistan's unbeaten streak against them in Test cricket. A lot was at stake, and it was their veteran cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim, who showed them the way forward with his 191 off 341 balls.

Sometimes the urge to win more than the opposition does wonder, and it did in this instance. Pakistan also took a callous and overconfident approach when they picked no spinner and declared with four wickets still remaining.