|| CF DESK ||

Before the series against Pakistan, Bangladesh had managed only one draw in 13 Test matches, losing the other 12. They had never won a Test match against Pakistan on their home soil in any format. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto and his team made history with a victory on the first Test in Rawalpindi.

The challenge then was to continue this success, and Bangladesh secured another historic win, writing a new chapter in their cricketing history.

After the match, captain Shanto expressed his joy, crediting the entire team for the victory.

"This means a lot to us... I can't express it in words. We're truly happy. Our goal was to win before we came here, and I'm really pleased with how everyone played their part," Shanto said.

"Everyone contributed to this series. This success is the result of a team effort. Even those who didn’t get to play worked hard off the field. We often talk about those who score runs or take wickets, but this victory came from everyone's collective effort."

On the fourth day of the match, young pacers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud, playing in only their third Test, dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup, bringing Bangladesh closer to victory. Praising them, the captain highlighted their hard work off the field and the team's desire to win.

"The most important thing is their work ethic. They've worked hard recently, and they've seen the results. Everyone was committed to their work. Everyone was desperate to win, and that was crucial for the team. I hope we can maintain this momentum." Shanto added.

Before the series, Bangladesh suffered a setback when Mahmudul Hasan Joy was injured. However, in the first Test, Sadman Islam took the opportunity and laid the foundation for victory with a brilliant 93-run innings.

Although fellow opener Zakir Hasan didn't live up to expectations throughout the series, his cameo in the final innings provided the team with the confidence needed to chase down the target. Shanto also praised their contributions.

"Joy couldn't play due to injury, but Sadman batted superbly, especially in the first Test with his 93-run innings. Zakir's batting in the last 6-7 overs yesterday shifted the momentum in our favor. This is exactly what we expect from them."

Bangladesh's middle order rescued the team from trouble in both Tests. The captain hopes that the experienced middle-order batsmen will perform even better in the upcoming series in India (starting from 19th September).

"The next series is very important. This series has given us great confidence. Mushfiq Bhai, Shakib Bhai, Litton, Mominul—they've played a lot and are very experienced. They've shown that experience here, and I hope they will perform even better in India."

Mehidy Hasan Miraz deserves special mention. In addition to playing two crucial innings, he delivered outstanding performances with the ball in challenging conditions, earning him the Man of the Series award. The captain hopes to see the same form from the all-rounder in the series against India.

"The way he bowled in the first innings under these conditions was brilliant. His recent work with the coaches has been excellent. I hope he can maintain this form against India," Shanto concluded.