Agency :
Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praises on his players after completing their first ever victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi of Pakistan on Sunday.
“It’s a historic day for us. It’s massive. We had never won here before, but we believed we can win this time. Everyone really believed that we can do something special this time and the way everyone showed their character, I’m really happy with them,” Birthday boy Shanto said.
Pakistan were dismissed for just 146 in their second innings (448 for 6, first innings), thanks to Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan, who claimed four and three wickets respectively.
With a modest target of only 30 runs and nearly two sessions remaining, Bangladesh’s openers, Zakir Hassan and Shadman Islam, chased down the total in just seven overs, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Shanto praised his spinners for their remarkable performance, which completely shifted the momentum on the final day.
“We all know Shakib, how experienced he is. Miraz has played a lot of Test matches, he knows how to control his line and length. I’m really happy that they showed a lot of character and bowled in the right areas for a long time.”
Before the spinners, it was Mushfiqur Rahim’s 191, Shadman Islam’s 93 and half-centuries from Litton Das (56) and Mominul Haque (50) helped Bangladesh post 565 and gain a 117-run lead in the first innings.
“[Shadman] was outstanding. I think it is very difficult for an opener to play after a long gap, especially in this format. The way he and Zakir batted in the first 12 overs on the second day really helped our team,”
“For the last 15-17 years, he [Mushfiq] prepares and does his job every day, never looks tired doing the same thing over and over. That’s why he has been playing international cricket for 15-17 years with the same intensity,”
“The way he batted in this hot climate, I was really happy for him. That’s why we probably won the match.” Shanto added.