NEW DELHI: As the Bangladesh cricket team on Tuesday made history, securing a landmark first-ever Test series win over Pakistan, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was found lost for words.
As the Tigers won the second and final match by six wickets on the fifth day in Rawalpindi after chasing 185, they sealed a 2-0 series win.
The win for Bangladesh came despite a torrid start where Bangladesh were 26 for 6 on the third day of the rain-affected Test, eventually recovering through pivotal contributions from Litton Das, who scored 138, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who added 78 runs.
A stellar performance by rookie pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, who then took five and four wickets, respectively, dismantled Pakistan for 172, setting up Bangladesh’s historic triumph.
Bangladesh had previously won the first Test in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets, marking their first win in 14 matches against Pakistan. Skipper Shanto expressed his elation following this landmark victory.
“We can’t express feelings with words, we are really happy,” news agency AFP quoted Najmul as saying.
“I think before we came here we’re looking to win, and the way everyone did their job made me really happy.”
Najmul gave his bowlers special praise, saying their recent work had paid off.
“Our bowlers were very impressive,” he said.
The spinner Mehidy was player of the series while Hasan and Nahid also played starring roles.
Bangladesh next face India in an away two-match Test series starting from September 18.
“I hope they will do the same against India as well, which will be a very challenging series,” said Najmul, whose team has never won a Test against India in 13 attempts.
Under-pressure Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team needed to improve, and fast.
Masood has now lost all five Tests since being appointed skipper last year.
“We haven’t learnt our lessons,” he said.
“We could have bowled them, especially after 26-6 down here, but we let them back in the game.”
Pakistan next month face a formidable England, who inflicted Pakistan’s first-ever 3-0 whitewash in 2022.
As the Tigers won the second and final match by six wickets on the fifth day in Rawalpindi after chasing 185, they sealed a 2-0 series win.
The win for Bangladesh came despite a torrid start where Bangladesh were 26 for 6 on the third day of the rain-affected Test, eventually recovering through pivotal contributions from Litton Das, who scored 138, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who added 78 runs.
A stellar performance by rookie pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, who then took five and four wickets, respectively, dismantled Pakistan for 172, setting up Bangladesh’s historic triumph.
Bangladesh had previously won the first Test in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets, marking their first win in 14 matches against Pakistan. Skipper Shanto expressed his elation following this landmark victory.
“We can’t express feelings with words, we are really happy,” news agency AFP quoted Najmul as saying.
“I think before we came here we’re looking to win, and the way everyone did their job made me really happy.”
Najmul gave his bowlers special praise, saying their recent work had paid off.
“Our bowlers were very impressive,” he said.
The spinner Mehidy was player of the series while Hasan and Nahid also played starring roles.
Bangladesh next face India in an away two-match Test series starting from September 18.
“I hope they will do the same against India as well, which will be a very challenging series,” said Najmul, whose team has never won a Test against India in 13 attempts.
Under-pressure Pakistan captain Shan Masood said his team needed to improve, and fast.
Masood has now lost all five Tests since being appointed skipper last year.
“We haven’t learnt our lessons,” he said.
“We could have bowled them, especially after 26-6 down here, but we let them back in the game.”
Pakistan next month face a formidable England, who inflicted Pakistan’s first-ever 3-0 whitewash in 2022.
