Bangladesh succumb to innings defeat despite fightback

DHAKA - Bangladesh succumbed to an innings and 8-run

defeat in the second and final Test despite putting up a huge resistance
against a Pakistan juggernaut at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
today.

   The defeat ensured Bangladesh's series whitewash at the hands of the
visitors who swept both Test and T20 series.

   Offspinner Sajid Khan was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming a match haul of
12-128 to help Pakistan win the rain-hit game that saw only 63.2 overs were
possible in the first three days. The third day was entirely washed out and
only 6.2 overs were possible on day one.

   But Pakistan needed just two days to inflict a humiliating defeat to
Bangladesh. Sajid Khan bagged 8-42, the fourth best bowling by a Pakistan
bowler in a Test innings to wrap up Bangladesh's first innings for 87.

   Bangladesh needed to score at least 101 runs to avoid follow-on after
Pakistan declared their first innings on 300-4.

   However, as Bangladesh fell short of 14 runs to avoid follow-on on the
fifth day morning session after resuming the day on 76-7, Babar Azam didn't
have any second thought but to enforce the follow-on.

   Sajid Khan again appeared as Bangladesh's nemesis in the second innings to
bag 4-86 as Bangladesh were dismissed for 205 to taste the innings defeat.

   It was Bangladesh's 93rd defeat in 123 matches, out of which 44 came by
innings margin.

   Shakib Al Hasan was the top-scorer for the side with 63, after being the
highest scorer in the first innings too with 33.

   With the light gradually fading away, Bangladesh last wicket pair of
Taijul Islam and Ebadot Hossain resisted a relentless Pakistani attack for 34
balls to raise a hope of salvaging the Test.

   But Sajid fittingly broke the partnership, dismissing Taijul via leg-
before to help Pakistan win the game.

   Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-31) and Hasan Ali (2-37) earlier in
the morning session got into act with new ball, leaving Bangladesh 25-4 to
take Pakistan on the verge of an unexpected victory.

   But Bangladesh raised a hope of saving the Test, firstly through Mushfiqur
Rahim and Liton Das, who combined for a 73-run in 25 overs.

   Sajid broke the partnership, rattling the stump of Liton for 45, with one
that turned viciously.

   Shakib Al Hasan joined Mushfiqur Rahim and added 49-run before the latter
was trapped run out after trying for a risky single. Mushfiqur made 48.

   Shakib was the last hope of Bangladesh to avoid a defeat. He and Mehidy
Hasan Miraz almost did it, frustrating the Pakistani attack.

   When nothing worked against them, Babar himself came to bowl and that gave
the breakthrough with his offspin as Mehidy went for sweep to be trapped leg-
before, similar to his dismissal in the first innings. Mehidy played 70 balls
for his 14.

   Sajid then helped the side edge closer to victory, dismissing Shakib with
a quicker delivery that broke the stump of Shakib and the hope of Bangladesh.

   During his knock of 63, Shakib became just sixth players to complete a
double of 4000 runs and 200 wickets in tests. He achieved the feat in 59
tests to be fastest amongst the six, eclipsing England's Sir Ian Botham, who
achieved the double in 69 matches.

   The tail-enders resisted for a while but couldn't survive against a
relentless attack which was desperate to win the game.BSS