Shan Masood under fire after Pakistan's historic 104-run loss to Bangladesh in Mirpur
Synopsis
Pakistan's historic collapse in Mirpur handed Bangladesh a maiden home Test victory and deepened the crisis around captain Shan Masood, whose captaincy record now reads 11 defeats in 15 Tests. With Pakistan the only team to lose three straight Tests to Bangladesh, the pressure on Masood to resign is mounting—and the WTC standings have turned against them.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan lost by 104 runs to Bangladesh in the first Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur , on 12 May .
The defeat was Bangladesh's first-ever home Test victory over Pakistan and Pakistan's third consecutive loss to them.
Nahid Rana took 5 for 40 , dismantling Pakistan's chase after tea with a fast-bowling masterclass.
Captain Shan Masood now has 11 defeats in 15 Tests , drawing widespread calls for his resignation.
Pakistan dropped to seventh in the WTC standings from fifth; Bangladesh climbed to sixth from eighth.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood faced a barrage of social media criticism after his side suffered a 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of a two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on 12 May. The loss marked Pakistan's third consecutive Test defeat to Bangladesh and the hosts' first-ever home victory over Pakistan in the format.
Bangladesh's dominant final session
Chasing 268, Pakistan remained competitive until tea, buoyed by debutant Abdullah Fazal's composed 66 and a steadying partnership with Salman Ali Agha. However, Bangladesh seized control immediately after the interval. Veteran spinner Taijul Islam removed Fazal via a successful review, followed by Taskin Ahmed dismissing Salman in the next over. Fast bowler Nahid Rana then dismantled Pakistan's middle and lower order with a 5-wicket haul for 40 runs, including the dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan, who was bowled by a sharp nip-backer.
Masood's captaincy record under scrutiny
Social media erupted with criticism of Masood's leadership. One user noted that Pakistan had now become only the second team after Zimbabwe to lose three consecutive Tests against Bangladesh, while another highlighted that Masood had already registered 11 defeats in just 15 Tests as captain. A third observation pointed out that no other Pakistan captain had ever lost a Test to Bangladesh, let alone three in succession. Multiple users called for Masood to step down voluntarily.
Rizwan's pre-match confidence backfires
The dismissal of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan — bowled by Rana after scoring just 15 runs — drew particular ridicule online, especially given his confident pre-match remarks about Pakistan's ability to chase any target. Social media users juxtaposed his optimistic comments with his underwhelming performance during the chase.
Bangladesh's historic milestone
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto laid the foundation for victory with a fluent 87 in the second innings. The hosts' triumph was anchored by Rana's exceptional fast-bowling display after tea, which observers widely praised as a masterclass in aggression and precision.
WTC standings shift
The defeat cost Pakistan dearly in the World Test Championship standings. Pakistan dropped two places to seventh from fifth, falling below India, who moved up one spot. Bangladesh climbed two places from eighth to sixth. The result intensifies pressure on Masood ahead of the second Test of the series.
Point of View
Yet Masood has lost three in a row. The social media chorus calling for his resignation reflects a deeper truth: when a captain's record becomes a historical anomaly, staying on only delays the inevitable. Pakistan's WTC slide from fifth to seventh is the statistical punctuation on what has become an untenable situation.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pakistan lose to Bangladesh by 104 runs?
Pakistan fell short while chasing 268 in the second innings. After remaining competitive through most of the day, Bangladesh turned the match decisively after tea, with Nahid Rana taking 5 for 40 to dismantle Pakistan's middle and lower order.
What makes this Bangladesh victory historic?
This was Bangladesh's first-ever home Test victory over Pakistan. It also marked Pakistan's third consecutive Test loss to Bangladesh—a record that places Pakistan alongside only Zimbabwe in losing three straight Tests to the same opponent.
What is Shan Masood's captaincy record?
Shan Masood has 11 defeats in 15 Tests as Pakistan captain, a win percentage that has drawn widespread criticism. No other Pakistan captain has lost a Test to Bangladesh; Masood has now lost three in succession.
How did the WTC standings change after this result?
Pakistan dropped two places to seventh from fifth, falling below India, who moved up one spot. Bangladesh climbed two places from eighth to sixth.
What was Nahid Rana's role in Bangladesh's victory?
Nahid Rana took 5 for 40 in Pakistan's second innings, with his burst after tea proving decisive. He dismissed key batsmen including Mohammad Rizwan with a sharp nip-backer that crashed into the stumps.
