Bangladesh secure historic result

Bangladesh batted for five sessions to secure a draw against Pakistan in Khulna, and with it a place in the country's cricket folklore for openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes.

Tamim set a new Bangladesh record for the highest individual score in Tests in reaching 206 before he was stumped, and with Imrul they set a new Test record for the highest first-innings deficit to be erased by an opening pair.

Bangladesh easily bested the 296-run deficit in the first innings as they posted a mammoth 6-555 in their second knock before the match was called off after tea on the fifth day.

The draw was a morale-booster for Bangladesh, who had lost all their eight previous Tests against Pakistan, ahead of the second and final match starting in Dhaka on Wednesday.

A stalemate was always on the cards on the heart-breaking pitch for bowlers at the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium which produced 1,515 runs for the loss of just 26 wickets over the five days.

Bangladesh had made 332 in the first innings after electing to take first strike and Pakistan replied with 628 on the back of a double-century from Mohammad Hafeez.

The home team's batting assault left Pakistan still searching for their first win on the tour after being whitewashed 3-0 in the one-dayers and also losing the Twenty20 international.

Bangladesh supporters are hailing the result as a signal of the country's continued rise in cricket, hot on the heels of the country's qualification for the World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of England.

Pakistan's huge first-innings lead was wiped off by a record 312-run opening stand between left-handers Tamim and Imrul, which was Bangladesh's highest-ever partnership for any wicket.

Tamim said the progress the team made in the World Cup, notably in chasing down a 300-plus total against Scotland, had filled the team with confidence.

Quick Single: World Cup success inspired us, says Tamim

Imrul was dismissed for 150 in the morning session, holing out in the deep against left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar after striking 16 boundaries and three sixes.

But Tamim continued unhindered as he moved into the 190s by striking leg-spinner Yasir Shah for two consecutive sixes before reaching 201 with a straight-driven six off seamer Junaid Khan.

That shot helped him surpass current captain Mushfiqur Rahim's 200 against Sri Lanka in Galle in 2013, which was the previous best Test score by a Bangladeshi batsman.

Tamim hit 17 boundaries and seven sixes before he was stumped off Hafeez just before tea attempting another big hit.

"Whatever I planned came off nicely," Tamim said after the match. "It was a much-needed innings for me and my team as well. I was in an attacking mood and (Imrul) was controlling the innings. It was a great combination.

"I played my role, Imrul played his role, Shakib and Mahmudullah did their job. It was a team effort. We have done well in ODIs are we are proving it in Tests. We have a big summer coming up."