Yes, you read the headline right, Babar Azam did trigger Pakistan win with the ball as he broke the game-changing partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, which was the last hope Bangladesh were clinging on to save the game.
Babar introduced himself in the 76th over with Bangladesh comfortably placed at 198-6 and the partnership between Miraz and Shakib going past 50 runs and most importantly taking up 139 deliveries for it. With only 14 more overs to be played, which would have been reduced to 11 or 12 given the way the light was deteriorating.
The off-spin from the Pakistan captain however did the trick as it made Miraz lose his concentration and he was trapped plumb in front of the wicket on the second ball of the over. Although the on-field umpire gave it not out, Babar reviews and the decision was reversed. This was the opening Pakistan needed and they got through the part-time off-spin of their skipper.
As they say one brings two and it id. In the very next over, Shakib, who had by then faced 130 balls, lost his concentration too and was bowled by Sajid Khan to give him his ninth wicket of the game. From there on it was formalities only as Pakistan needed to get just two wickets and tailenders were only left.
However, Taijul Islam decided to fight and stretched the match from the 76th over till the 85th over by losing just one wicket. And just when it seemed that light might be offered to Bangladesh if they could play just one over, Sajid struck again and Taijul’s 31 ball struggle came to an end.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh, starting from their overnight score of 76-7 were bundled out in the first session itself for a meagre 87. They were asked to follow on and lost their four wickets for only 25 runs before Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim took up the fight. After Rahim and Das’ dismissal, both of which were due to the batter’s own fault as Das hit a dolly straight to the fielder and Rahim’s bat was lifted instead of being ground in the case as he was run out, Shakib and Mehidy picks up the fight and gave hope that the Test could be saved.
Among Shakib, Rahim, Liton and Mehidy, the four players played almost 70 overs while the remaining seven batters could hardly play 15 overs.
Credit must also go to Pakistan for the way they managed to win a Test match which if seen in totality had only eight sessions of proper play. This victory by an innings and eight runs brightens its prospects in the World Test Championship 2021-23 points table. Pakistan are currently in the second position with three wins from four games while Sri Lanka is at the top with a 100% score, winning two in two.