Bangladesh cricket has been swept by renewed optimism following a landmark Test victory over Pakistan, as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto delivered a performance that not only guided his team to glory but also earned him a major rise in the latest ICC rankings.
In the opening Test in Mirpur, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 104 runs to secure their first-ever Test win against the Asian rivals. The result marked a defining moment in Bangladesh’s red-ball history, breaking a long-standing barrier against one of world cricket’s traditional powerhouses.
Leading from the front, Shanto played a decisive role in the triumph. The Bangladesh skipper scored 101 in the first innings and followed it up with a composed 87 in the second, laying the platform for his side’s memorable victory. Beyond his runs, his calm captaincy, tactical field placements and bowling changes were widely praised, particularly during tense moments when Pakistan threatened to regain control.
His efforts were rewarded with the Player of the Match award and a significant boost in the latest weekly ICC Test batting rankings. Shanto climbed 16 places to 23rd with 649 rating points, the highest Test rating of his career so far. Interestingly, he now shares the same rating and position as Pakistan star Babar Azam, who missed the match because of a knee injury.
Bangladesh’s batting strength was further highlighted by Mominul Haque, who produced scores of 91 and 56 across the two innings. He and Shanto built century partnerships for the third wicket in both innings, giving Bangladesh a solid foundation on each occasion. Mominul consequently jumped 12 spots to 35th in the rankings.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim also made progress after a crucial 71 in the first innings, moving up two places to 26th.
Bangladesh’s bowlers were equally influential. Fast bowler Nahid Rana starred in Pakistan’s second innings with a five-wicket haul, climbing from 69th to 64th in the bowling rankings. Spinner Taijul Islam, who claimed four wickets in the match, improved three places to 13th, strengthening his reputation as one of Bangladesh’s most dependable Test bowlers.
Although Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed six wickets in the match, including a five-for in the first innings, he remained unchanged at 27th in the bowling rankings.
Bangladesh Players’ Ranking Progress
| Player | Discipline | Previous Rank | Current Rank | Rating Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Batter | 39 | 23 | 649 |
| Mominul Haque | Batter | 47 | 35 | 592 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Batter | 28 | 26 | Not disclosed |
| Taijul Islam | Bowler | 16 | 13 | 704 |
| Nahid Rana | Bowler | 69 | 64 | 332 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | Bowler | 27 | 27 | 620 |
The victory has also strengthened Bangladesh’s standing in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle. The team moved up two places to sixth, with a points percentage of 44.44. Pakistan, meanwhile, slipped to seventh with 33.33.
With momentum firmly on their side, Bangladesh now have a golden opportunity to clinch a historic series win. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Sylhet on 16 May, where Shanto’s side will aim to build on their confidence and add another memorable chapter to the nation’s cricket story.
A series victory over Pakistan would not only reinforce Bangladesh’s growing maturity in Test cricket but could also signal a shift in the competitive balance of Asian red-ball cricket. For a team long criticised for inconsistency away from white-ball formats, this triumph may prove to be more than a one-off success—it could be the beginning of a more formidable Test era.