Bangladesh’s 17th captain, Mehedi Hasan Miraz hailed the Tigers’ performance in the series-levelling 101-run win over the West Indies on day four of the second and final Test in Kingston, Jamaica Tuesday.
Leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Miraz guided Bangladesh to their first Test win in the Caribbean in 15 years as the visitors made it all-square after losing the series opener in Antigua.
This was the 27-year old all-rounder’s first victory as Bangladesh skipper in third attempt having also lost on captaincy debut against Afghanistan in the third and final One Day International in the United Arab Emirates last month.
The 1-1 stalemate was the first time the Tigers drew a Test series against the Windies in 11 tries, with the Caribbean side dominating the head to head count with eight wins against Bangladesh’s two.
“We have played so many years of Test cricket, almost 25 years, so this was enjoyable. We need to keep improving in certain areas. We always talked about our boys and how we have to win this game. We think about how to improve in internationals, sometimes we'll make mistakes but we'll learn from that,” said Miraz in the presentation ceremony at Sabina Park.
He will continue to lead the touring side in the upcoming three-match ODI series, starting Sunday at Basseterre in Saint Kitts and Nevis, with Shanto out with a groin strain.
The stand-in Bangladesh skipper went on to praise the team’s effort, especially the pace bowling unit, which saw them secure their first Test triumph in the Caribbean since 2009, at the fourth time of asking.
“We were not thinking negatively despite being 164 all out (in the first innings). The boys bowled especially well. Nahid (Rana) in the first innings, Taskin (Ahmed) and Hasan Mahmud. Second-innings specialist Taijul (Islam) got five wickets. He was excellent. He has been very good for the last 10 years, more than 200 wickets for us. Fast bowling has been all about the process. Tanzim (Hasan) Sakib is also there. We have good fast bowlers at the moment,” said Miraz.
Taijul, adjudged player of the match for his six scalps and useful runs across two innings in a low-scoring encounter, said his side can more than hold their own against any batting line-up.
"This win was in unfamiliar conditions. Everyone gave a good effort and the boys were dedicated to getting the win. The pace and spin attack we have, we've been playing well, everyone's in good rhythm, so definitely we can compete against any batting attack," said the left-arm spinner, who picked up his 15th five-wicket haul in the second innings, and fourth overseas.