They say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Against India in the final of the Nidahas trophy, Bangladesh crumbled in the very last moment and spilled their chance to win the tri-nation series. While the heads were hung down and the players looked visibly broken by it, former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar feels that the Tigers have returned stronger after their losses to Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.

Bashar insisted that the last series against Sri Lanka at home didn’t go according to the plan, so the way the Tigers came back in the Nidahas trophy is a testament to Bangladesh mental strength.  

“The last series [T20I series at home against Lankans] did not go well and this series was very difficult for us,” Bashar was quoted as saying.

“But from that position, it must have been difficult to go outside the country and come back with something. This proves that mentally they are much stronger. The hunger to win is much more prominent.

Bangladesh have played in quite a few T20I matches over the last six months, which is the first requirement to learn about the intricacies of the shorter format of the game. Bashar, too, believes that playing more will teach the team to fathom the format better.

“We are playing regularly in T20s and understanding the game better. Bangladesh played well in this tournament. Unfortunately, we did not win the cup but looking at the matches it seems we are able to play the matches how they should be played,” he concluded.