All-rounder Salma Khatun has been leading the Bangladesh women's cricket team ever since their first Asia Cup appearance 10 years ago. Her consistent performances elevated her to the top of the T20I all-rounders’ ranking three years ago. She expressed delight back then but she has never been this happy after their title winning campaign at the Asia Cup T20I 2018.
It was a historic moment for Salma and Co when they returned home Monday as the new Asia Cup champion after beating six-time winner India twice in the six-nation regional tournament.
"It's really a great matter of joy as we defeated a very big team to emerge as the champion. We knew that everyone in Bangladesh was waiting for us to return and since we landed here, we have been receiving gifts after gifts," said Salma.
ELATION!
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) June 10, 2018
Bangladesh clinch their maiden Women's Asia Cup! #WAC2018 #ACC #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/XGni0ISxfF
"We didn't lose our confidence despite the defeat in the first game (against Sri Lanka). I talked to my players to convince them that we had four more games and we can come back. And we proved it. We were focused on our games," she added.
When asked how they celebrated Bangladesh's first ever Asia Cup success, she replied, "We enjoyed a lot in the dressing room, singing, dancing and what not, can't express how much we enjoyed.
"We all enjoyed the video by Tamim [Iqbal]. The whole world already watched the video before us. It was an exciting moment for us to achieve something what our brothers couldn't do. I think it's a great achievement."
