OTD: Bangladesh played their first-ever Test in 2000

It was on this day, November 10 in 2000, that Bangladesh became the 10th Test-playing nation. They faced neighbors India in their inaugural Test match played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

The Asian nation had played cricket as East Pakistan before gaining independence in 1971. They started playing internationally in 1979, which quickly opened the door for them to join the game’s longest format.

In 1986, Bangladesh played their first One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan, losing by seven wickets. To celebrate their first victory in international cricket, they had to wait more than ten years and twenty-two One-Day Internationals.

Bangladesh were given Test status at the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference in June 2000, in which all nine Test nations voted in favor of Bangladesh’s Test debut.

Naimur Rahman led the Bangladeshi team that won the toss and chose to bat first. The debutants showed great potential in the first innings, with Habibul Bashar scoring the first half-century and Bangladesh finishing the first day on 239/6.

Aminul Islam scored Bangladesh’s first-ever Test century the next day, but the team folded their first essay at 400. Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar both claimed two wickets, while Sunil Joshi claimed five (5/142).

Bangladesh became the first team to score 400 runs in their first-ever Test innings and did well with the ball as well. In reply, India only managed 429 runs, thanks to 92 by Sunil Joshi, 84 by Sourav Ganguly, and contributions by S. Ramesh (58), Murali Kartik (43), and Ajit Agarkar (34).

Skipper Naimur Rahman became the first Bangladeshi to take a fifer in Test cricket, with his figures reading 6/132 runs.

However, the Bangladesh batting faltered in the second innings, as they were bundled out for 91 runs. Sunil Joshi and Javagal Srinath took three wickets each, while Bashar top-scored with 30.

India were set to score 63 runs to win the game, which they did by losing the wicket of S Ramesh. Rahul Dravid made 41*, and SS Das made 22* as India won the one-off Test by nine wickets.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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