'We were not thinking negatively despite being 164 all out': Miraz on Bangladesh's comeback win in 2nd Test
Miraz was quick to highlight the contributions of his bowling unit.
Bangladesh stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz credited his bowlers for their stellar performance in the team's 101-run win over the West Indies in the second and final Test in Jamaica on Tuesday.
The victory allowed Bangladesh to level the series 1-1, marking a memorable achievement for the team.
Bowling Dominance
The bowlers led Bangladesh's charge, with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claiming 5 for 50 in the fourth innings to bowl out the West Indies for 185. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana shared the remaining wickets in a disciplined bowling display.
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Rana had earlier taken his maiden Test five-wicket haul in the first innings, dismantling the hosts for just 146. Miraz was quick to highlight the contributions of his bowling unit:
"We always talked about our boys and how we have to win this game. We were not thinking negatively despite being 164 all out. The boys bowled especially well. Nahid [Rana] in the first innings, Taskin [Ahmed], and Hasan Mahmud chipped in. Second-innings specialist Taijul [Islam] got five wickets. He was excellent. He has been very good for the last ten years, more than 200 wickets for us."
Batting Contributions
After a poor showing in the first innings, where Bangladesh was bowled out for 164, the batters stepped up in the second innings. Jaker Ali played a crucial role, scoring a Test-best 91 to lift the visitors to 268, setting a daunting target of 287 for the hosts.
A Captain's Perspective
Miraz, captaining the Test side for the first time, expressed his delight with the team's performance and resilience:
"It's a big achievement for me because I captained the team for the first time. Everybody supported me and followed my instructions. I would like to thank everyone because all wanted to win this match from their hearts."
Despite the crushing 201-run defeat in the first Test in Antigua, Miraz maintained optimism and led from the front to ensure a strong comeback. Reflecting on the significance of the win, he added:
"We have played so many years of Test cricket, almost 25 years, so this was enjoyable. We need to keep improving in certain areas."
Miraz also highlighted the progress of Bangladesh's pace attack, acknowledging the work done to strengthen the unit:
"Fast bowling has been all about the process. Tanzim Sakib is also there. We have good fast bowlers at the moment."
Conclusion
The victory in Jamaica showcased Bangladesh's ability to bounce back under challenging circumstances. The bowlers, led by Taijul and Rana, complemented by a critical batting effort from Jaker Ali, ensured that Bangladesh ended the series on a high note.
