As the last wicket fell at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on May 20, 2026, it was not just the end of a cricket game; it was the making of history for Bangladesh and a lesson learned by Pakistan.
In a 2nd Test match, Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 78 runs, securing a 2-0 series win, which is the first time in the history of Bangladeshi cricket that Bangladesh has won a series against Pakistan in Tests without losing a single game. This comes hot on the heels of the Pakistani team’s defeat in the 2024 series in their own backyard.
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Match: How Bangladesh Made It
The second Test held in Sylhet (May 16 – 20, 2026) took a similar turn from the one played in Dhaka – disciplined batting from Bangladesh and Pakistan falling apart due to mounting pressure.
The Bangladeshi team scored 278 in their first innings, with Litton Das hitting 126. The Pakistani team returned with 232 runs in hand, with Babar Azam scoring the maximum 68. However, it was Mushfiqur Rahim in Bangladesh’s second innings who made an exceptional contribution of 137 to take their total score to 390, setting Pakistan a tough task of chasing 437.
Pakistan’s pursuit started with a bit of soul. Shan Masood and Babar Azam scored 92 runs for the third wicket, which helped Pakistan recover from their early setbacks, while Mohammad Rizwan showed fight in scoring 94, giving Pakistan hope for a brief period on the last day. However, the tail fell apart. Taijul Islam made some impressive contributions for Bangladesh in the fourth innings, ending Pakistan’s resistance by removing the last wicket when Khurram Shahzad was stumped at deep midwicket.
The win was by 78 runs. Bangladesh had won the series 2-0.
This match will always be remembered as one of the best performances by Taijul Islam. This was a match-winning inning by Mushfiqur Rahim, scoring 137 runs. It was the first inning of Litton Das, who contributed 126 runs when Bangladesh needed it the most.
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A Landmark Time for Bangladesh Cricket
Bangladesh has achieved something that has never been seen before in their cricketing history. Bangladesh has managed to win four consecutive Tests after beating Ireland 2-0 last year. This is not a surprising achievement; it is the outcome of strategic development, an improving fast bowling group, and improved batting by the senior team members.
The PCT (percentage of points) of Bangladesh in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 has been improved to 58.33 with two wins, one loss, and one tie, thus securing fifth position in the WTC rankings, ahead of India. Their next assignment includes tours of Australia in August and South Africa in November. Bangladesh cricket is now a real test cricket force.
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The Tough Questions for Pakistan
While there was an element of skillfulness on display from the Pakistan team in this Test series, the overall performance from them gives rise to some worrying questions that lie far beyond tactics.
Having lost three out of four games in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Pakistan has fallen to the eighth spot in the WTC standings of 2025-27. The percentage of points earned by them is now dangerously low, making their road to the WTC final in 2027 very tough indeed.
While the obvious question is that of batting vulnerability, there are tougher questions to be answered as well.
The PSL Question
The PSL was supposed to refine talent within Pakistan and prepare its players for the international stage. This argument is getting more and more challenging to uphold.
The 2026 edition of the PSL witnessed a series of complications; there were no spectators because of the fuel crisis in the region, the competition was limited to only two cities instead of the initial six, and even the inauguration ceremony had to be canceled. Some players demanded higher salaries than promised in their contracts owing to safety issues, while others forfeited their positions in the PSL to participate in the IPL.
But the real issue here is cultural. Pakistani players who play energetically and confidently in franchise cricket tend to come off as nervous and lack coordination when wearing white. The attitude of going all-out in three days in the T20 format might have been silently eating away at the qualities needed to succeed in Test cricket. The hunger, discipline, and sustained aggression required to excel in Test cricket are qualities that are lacking among Pakistani players today.
The Fast Bowling Drought
Pakistan used to be the most feared team in the world in fast bowling. Names like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar are still respected around the world. But Pakistan today cannot field even one fast bowler who frightens the opposition batters over five days. After the loss in Dhaka, Shan Masood stated: “In the first innings, with bat and ball, we needed to improve. You can never doubt our efforts, but when you are in control of the game, you need to put the opposition away.” Effort does not mean execution, which needs quality fast bowling.
The Management and Governance Issue
The principles of consistent selection, a clear vision, and good leadership form the bedrock of all well-run cricket boards. In recent times, Pakistan has had little to show in these areas. The PCB has gone through a rapid cycle of change regarding their captains and coaches, leaving no room for proper planning.
Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB and also the Federal Minister for Interior, introduces an element of politics into the management of the game, which is not always healthy. Politicians running cricket boards with other ministerial responsibilities are bound to focus more on appearances than results. This is evident from the present situation of the Pakistan team.
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Question for Cricket Fans in Pakistan
This loss raises an important question about what you want from cricket, cricket fans of Pakistan?
The answer is clear if you want entertainment, the PSL offers plenty of it, T20 cricket is entertaining, and it’s commercial too. But if your answer is Test cricket, national pride, and the legacy of great Pakistani sides from the past, things need to change. The process of nurturing talent, the system of coaching, the philosophy of selection, and the desire to play Test cricket and prepare for five days of it rather than just five overs of it — all of it has to be questioned.
It wasn’t luck for Bangladesh across ten days and two Tests. They were simply better than Pakistan. They bowled their pacers more accurately. Their veteran batsmen showed more courage. Their lower-order batsmen showed more resilience.
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What’s Next?
The Pakistan team is scheduled to travel to the West Indies for two Tests in July before they take on England in a three-Test series this year. Both of these series offer an opportunity to start building some World Test Championship points and morale. But unless there is fundamental restructuring in terms of player selection, coaching, and administration, the cycle will continue.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh fans have witnessed history being made. Their side has secured a 2-0 victory against Pakistan in a Test series, in their own country, in May 2026.
The story of cricket’s underdogs is continuing to unfold in Dhaka and Sylhet.
For now, the story of Pakistan remains a cautionary tale.
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Source of match information: ESPNcricinfo official scorecards. Source of WTC rankings: ICC and Outlook India, updated as of May 20, 2026.
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