Bangladesh Test captain Shakib al Hasan is happy with the team effort shown in the second and final Test of the series against visitors India.
Hosts Bangladesh conceded a three-wicket defeat on day four at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Sunday after their 188-run loss in the first Test in Chittagong.
Bangladesh fought hard in the Dhaka game and had put India on the back foot.
Going into day four, the home side needed six wickets for a historic Test win while India required 100 more runs to save their reputation.
Bangladesh were denied the memorable landmark moment by Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer who steered India to a thrilling victory.
Ashwin was unbeaten on 42 off 62, a knock that included four fours and one six while Iyer was not out on 29 off 46, hitting four boundaries as India raced to the victory target of 145 in the first session on day four, completing their 100 remaining runs in 24 overs.
“Everyone contributed, we've played well in this venue. Shreyas and Ashwin batted well under pressure. We needed one more wicket. We can think of lots of ifs and buts but happy with the way we thought. It was unfortunate I couldn't bowl well in the first Test, but happy to have done well here. The mindset of the team makes me happy. Hopefully, we get better results next year,” said Shakib to the media.
“I think they [India tail-enders] batted well. Ashwin and Iyer both batted well. It was not an easy wicket to bat on but credit should be given for the way they batted. We tried our best I believe but we lacked at parts,” he added.
Shakib informed that there was expectation in the Bangladesh dressing room of a rare win after India were reduced to 74 for seven.
“You will always expect the team to win from that position, especially when they needed 80 more runs. It is tough to explain the ifs and buts. I think we have tried in all aspects. We might have had the room to do better and create more chances on the wicket we were playing on. But eventually I am happy the way team has performed,” said the ace all-rounder.
Shakib in the post-match press conference though, did rue his team's missed chances.
Four chances went begging in India's first innings, and then, with Bangladesh three wickets away and India 65 from their target, Mominul Haque dropped Ashwin at short leg, and that proved decisive in the end.
“It is slightly disappointing, as other teams don't miss the chances that we are missing," said Shakib.
"Those made the difference. We could have bowled them out for 250 instead of 314 [in the first innings]. There was a chance in the second innings…But it is part of cricket. We fielded well in the Twenty20 World Cup and the ODI series [against India], but we couldn't do it in the Test match. Maybe it happens because of a lack of concentration or fitness.
“We have to find out how to concentrate for longer, and avoid making mistakes. Other teams don't give so many opportunities. We miss regulation chances. Our bowlers have to create 13-14 chances to take 10 wickets. Other teams have to create nine chances to take 10 wickets.”