Najmul Hossain Shanto dedicates Bangladesh's historic Test win against Pakistan to protest victims

Aug. 26, 2024, 3:15 a.m.

Read time estimation: 4 minutes.

  3

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said his team’s first-ever Test win against Pakistan on Sunday was a tribute to people killed during protests that toppled former premier Sheikh Hasina.

Bangladesh experienced weeks of student-led protests, which ultimately forced Hasina to step down and seek refuge in India this month after 15 years of authoritarian rule.

“We are paying tribute to the individuals who recently passed away in our nation during the protest and we are praying for their souls,” Najmul said after his side’s 10-wicket victory in the first Test in Rawalpindi.

Sadly, over 450 people lost their lives during the demonstrations, with many succumbing to injuries sustained from police gunfire.

READ | Why Bangladesh’s Test win has added meaning

Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan was hit by lack of preparation, with foreign coaches unable to attend training sessions because of travel warnings.

Despite the circumstances, the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, approved the two-Test tour of Pakistan.

Bangladesh established a commanding lead of 117 runs in the first innings after achieving a record score of 565, while the hosts declared their innings at 448/6 on a pitch conducive to batting.

Subsequently, they dismissed Pakistan for a meager 146 runs on the final day of the match, with spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4/21) and Shakib Al Hasan (3/44) spearheading the bowling attack.

Bangladesh scored the 30 runs required without any blemish, sparking celebrations in the visitors’ dressing room.

Najmul, who turned 26 on Sunday, described it as a special moment.

“It is nice to win on a birthday, special feeling,” he said. “But more special is the team’s win. It’s a historic day for us, it is massive.

“I think before we started this series, we believed we can win this time. And then… everyone really believed that we can do something special this time.”

Najmul also praised his bowlers for keeping Pakistan in check.

“Everyone showed his character, I am really happy with them. We have worked hard to achieve this win. Our bowlers did so well,” he said.

Advertisement He also praised veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, whose 191 in the first innings set the foundation for Bangladesh’s highest total against Pakistan.

“He has been playing cricket for 15-17 years and he never looks tired, doing things repeatedly over and over again,” Najmul said.

“The way he batted in these hot conditions was impressive and I am really happy for him, that’s why we probably win the match.”

Pakistan's captain, Shan Masood, expressed regret to the home crowd for the result.

“We all are disappointed, the whole of Pakistan is disappointed,” said Masood, who has lost all four matches since being appointed Test captain last year.

“As a team, as a leader of the team, obviously I would apologise to our fans that we were unable to give the desired result that Pakistan deserved.”

Advertisement Masood denied his team took Bangladesh lightly.

“I thought they were very disciplined, with the ball and in the field, they played the game to their strengths,” he said.

Masood expressed optimism that his team would be able to perform better in the upcoming second Test, scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi on Friday.

“We have to raise our hands that we have committed mistakes, so we have to lift ourselves and train hard to come back strongly,” he said.