‘It's a testament to our improvement’
Photo - BCB
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said on Sunday that the win over West Indies proves that they are on the right track.
Bangladesh defeated an under-strength West Indies side in 2009, but they have whitewashed a full-strength West Indies at home to leave a mark of their progress this time.
Shakib, who was the skipper during Bangladesh’s win against West Indies in 2009, was also at the helm of the side when they whitewashed a team positioned higher than them in the rankings.
“I think that was the start and this is the proof that we are on the right track,” said Shakib. “That series [in 2009] was a turning point in our cricket as we started to believe that we can win. But this one is naturally special.”
Shakib credited his bowlers for keeping the pressure on the visiting side.
While debutant Nayeem Hasan and experienced Taijul Islam turned the table to record a 64-run victory, aided by Mehidy Hasan Miraj and skipper Shakib Al Hasan in the first Test, the second Test was all about off-spinner Mehidy. He finished with match haul of 12/117, the best figure by a Bangladeshi bowler to lead the charge.
This was Bangladesh’s first-ever victory by an innings margin against any opposition in their 112 Tests.
“It is always nice to win. I think we bowled well in partnership,” said Shakib.
“Every bowler tried to bowl to the best of their abilities. What I liked is that there were times when we could not pick wickets we still put pressure on the opponents.”
