Sunday 15 / September / 2024
Rawalpindi : After clean-sweeping Pakistan in the two-match Test series, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto heaped praise on the team.
The visitors delivered a dominant performance over two weeks, sweeping the Test series against Pakistan 2-0, despite a rain-affected start to the second Test.
"Means a lot, can't express in words. Really happy. We were looking to win here and are very happy with the way everyone has done their job. Very impressive, the work ethic of our pacers was great and that's why we got the result. Everyone is honest with themselves and they want to win, I hope they continue. Joy missed out because of a niggle, and the way Shadman batted in the first Test was excellent. And even Zakir in this Test, came out positive and got us the momentum," Shanto said in the post-match presentation.
The skipper said the win will give them confidence as they take on India in the next series.
"Next series is very important and this win gives us a lot of confidence. We have a lot of experience in Mushi and Shakib, and they will be important in India. (On Miraz) the way he bowled and took 5 wickets in these conditions is very impressive, and hope he can do the same against India. Everyone has chipped in, especially those who weren't getting chances. The four guys who weren't in the XI but helping the team on the field were very impressive. I hope this culture can continue. The party is the manager's call, we have to travel as well but we will go well!" the opener added.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto showered praise on Mehidy Hasan Miraz's performance in the second Test match against Pakistan and said that it was "brilliant".
Miraz scored 155 runs in his two innings and scalped a total of 10 wickets in the two-match Test series.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Najmul Hossain was asked about Miraz's performance and said that it was "unbelievable" for him to see a spinner taking five wickets.
"He was just brilliant. The way he bowled on the first day on this wicket - a spinner taking five wickets, it was unbelievable. It was something else," Shanto was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying.
Miraz was later asked about Bangladesh bowlers' performance on foreign pitches when the 26-year-old said that they can take wickets abroad too.
The Bangladesh bowler added that his performance will help him to gain confidence in the future.
"Now you can say that we take wickets abroad too. To be honest, you cannot make a Test player in one or two days. You have to give him time. You have to allow him to do well. It takes time for him to settle into a role and dominate in world cricket. The more time he gets, the better he will be. Maybe my home performances gave me a certain kind of mindset, but now that I am bowling well abroad, I will have this as a reference point to do well in the future. It raises your confidence for the next big series abroad. Confidence comes from records and references. I have both now. I will be more confident next time," Miraz said.
This series victory is also Bangladesh's first Test series win (of two matches or more) against a team other than Zimbabwe and the West Indies, according to the ICC.
The win has boosted Bangladesh in the ICC World Test Championship standings, propelling them to No. 4 with a points percentage of 45.83, leapfrogging England.
