Sports Desk: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja lavished praise on the visiting side for “perfectly” executing the chase in the first Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Abid Ali and Abdullah Shafique went on to play knocks of 91 and 73 respectively as Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the first Test here at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

The PCB chairman said chasing 200 on a turning track was a test for the Pakistan team and the victory is more “special” since it is on foreign soil.

“#PakvsBan Congrats boys! chasing 200 on a turning pitch was a test of sorts. Great that the chase was executed perfectly. And winning away from home is always more special,” Ramiz Raja tweeted.

With this win, Pakistan has gained a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Heading into Day 5 of the Test, the visitors needed just 93 more runs for the win and the opening batters made light work of the chase.

Resuming Day five at 109/0, overnight batters Ali and Shafique started from where they left off and the duo kept Bangladesh bowlers at bay. However, the 151-run opening stand finally came to an end in the 43rd over as Mehidy Hasan dismissed Shafique (73).

Abid (91) failed to reach the three-figure mark and Pakistan lost its second wicket, still, 31 runs away from the target. In the end, it was Azhar Ali (24*) and skipper Babar Azam (13*) who took Pakistan over the line by nine wickets in the first session on Tuesday.

Disappointed Abid Ali

Pakistan might have won the first Test against Bangladesh but visitors’ opening batter Abid Ali was left disappointed after missing out on a second ton in the match.

Abid Ali, the Player of the Match, played a knock of 91 runs. He had scored 133 in the first innings of the first Test against Bangladesh but missed out by nine runs in the second essay as Pakistan chased down the target in the first session on Tuesday.

“Our thought process was to stay at the wicket and put up a partnership. I have been playing domestic cricket and performing well, that’s what I carried into this game. He (Abdullah Shafique) played really well and he used to tell me when I made mistake,” said Abid Ali after the match.

“I was praying for him and hopefully he keeps batting like this. I am happy that Pakistan won the game, but a little disappointed that I couldn’t get that second hundred,” he added.