“Before we came, we were looking to win here. Everyone did their job and we’re very happy,” says captain Shanto after historic 2-0 sweep in Pakistan.
While several members of the playing XI made valuable contributions, Bangladesh’s youth organised their country’s victory in the second Test match against Pakistan. Particularly Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, who are 21 and 24, respectively, took nine wickets apiece in the second innings to provide the groundwork for the 185-run chase. When asked about his young speed combination, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto responded, “They wanted to win, that was very important,” following the victory.
“As a fast bowler, I was looking for wickets, and the boys, our effort [with the ball], we really deserved it,” Mahmud said. “You have to take advantage [of conditions] as fast bowlers, and you’ve got to keep working hard together, and especially in red-ball cricket, it’s important to get the benefit from your fast bowlers as well as spinners, all together. It was a valiant effort.”
The match and series honours went to two more experienced men, but Mahmud and Rana regularly got the heart rate up, as fast bowlers do when they defeat hitters. Due to his 138 in the opening innings, Litton Das was awarded man of the match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 155 runs and claimed ten wickets, was named the series winner. When Bangladesh was 26 for 6 against Pakistan’s 274 in the first innings of this Test, the two of them approached the middle. In order to keep the match even, Litton scored 138 from position seven, while Mehidy scored 78 from position eight, leading Bangladesh to 262.
“It’s a big achievement by the Bangladesh cricket team. I am part of this, so I am very happy,” Litton said. “When me and Miraz [were] batting, the credit actually goes to Miraz, because the way he faced 20 balls, and [if he] hits five or six fours, the game will be easier. We just had conversations like this. They had good momentum. We had to kill that momentum. And let’s see what happens next. And after lunch, we just felt free and just went and batted.”
Following that wicket with Mehidy, Litton and Mahmud shared another partnership of 69 runs, during which Mahmud faced 51 balls while contributing 13.
“When Hasan came, I didn’t have any scoring opportunities, because all the fielders were out,” Litton said. “So I took my time and thought I had to play the over, not the ramp or anything; I just was thinking how many overs I can play.”
After that, Mahmud and Rana assumed command. With Taskin Ahmed by their side, the two young men from Bangladesh put on what may have been their best performance to yet, setting their squad up for both success and history.
“Very proud. Very young group, in terms of the number of games they have played. Probably not the kind of wickets we were expecting when we were talking about scouting for Pakistan. But this group has improved every Test and showed some good control second innings particularly, so very proud,” Andre Adams, the bowling coach, said.
When Shanto picked up the trophy, he provided a brief summary of the match and made sure to credit the two opening batsmen, Zakir Hasan, who gave them a strong start in the chase, and Shadman Islam, who was outstanding in the first Test.
“It means a lot, can’t express with words. Really happy. Before we came, we were looking to win here. Everyone did their job. Very happy,” Shanto said. [Mahmud and Rana] were very impressive. Most important was their work ethic. The way they did their work in the recent past. That’s why they got the results. They wanted to win. That was very important for our team.
“The way Shadman batted, the 93 innings, and this innings, the way Zakir approached the innings, the momentum came to us.”
Mehidy dedicates Player-of-the-Series award to student protestors
This series began shortly after the student uprisings in Bangladesh that resulted in the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government and protracted unrest that claimed several lives. In order to obtain some practice that they could not receive at home, the Bangladesh cricket squad left earlier than planned and headed to Pakistan.
Shakib Al Hasan, the team’s star player and a member of Hasina’s Awami League party’s parliament, was named along with 146 other people in a political murder case, casting a shadow over the events back home.
“You know there have been problems in Bangladesh – I dedicate this award to the student protestors who were martyred,” Mehidy said when accepting his Player-of-the-Series award. “A rickshaw-puller was hurt in the violence, and eventually died. I want to gift this award to his family.”
After taking over in February of this year, Adams responded, “I don’t know what it means to all of Bangladesh, but I know Bangladesh is a very proud nation, so we are incredibly happy with these results given the turmoil over the last couple of months.” when asked how the victory affected the people back in Bangladesh.
“We were there at the time, and it was pretty scary. But we’re happy that things are returning to normal.”