NEW DELHI: Pakistan cricket team has matched an unwanted record set by India 48 years ago.
On Sunday, Pakistan lost their first-ever Test match against Bangladesh. This defeat came on their home soil in Rawalpindi. Despite declaring their first innings at 448/6, Pakistan lost the game after Bangladesh took a 117-run lead in their first innings. Pakistan collapsed to 146 in their second innings, and Bangladesh chased down the 30-run target with ease.
This win marks Bangladesh’s first victory against Pakistan in 14 matches.This loss marks the 17th time in Test cricket history that a team has lost after declaring their first innings. Ironically, Pakistan was also the first team to suffer such a defeat.
In a 1961 Test in Lahore against England, they declared at 387/9 but lost by five wickets. The recent defeat in Rawalpindi is Pakistan’s third such loss. Before this, they lost to Australia in the 2016 Melbourne Test despite declaring at 443/9 in the first innings.

India also experienced a similar fate in a 1976 Test against the West Indies in Kingston. India declared at 306/6 but lost by 10 wickets. Pakistan’s defeat by Bangladesh in Rawalpindi echoes India’s 1976 loss.
By declaring India’s first innings at 306 for 6, captain Bishan Singh Bedi tried to protect the tailenders from the West Indies’ fast bowlers on a dangerous pitch. Yet, India ended up losing by 10 wickets. Now, Pakistan shares the record with India as the only teams to lose by 10 wickets after declaring their first innings.