Bangladesh created history in Rawalpindi, registering their maiden test victory against Pakistan, and that too in Pakistan. The win finally came after a long wait of 24 years, after Bangladesh gained Test status in 2000. They have come close to beating Pakistan in tests earlier as well but were unable to cross the line on those occasions.

When it was brought to his attention that his team had never defeated Pakistan in Test cricket before the first Test match between the two nations, Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain insisted that records are meant to be broken. And now, he and his team have done exactly what the skipper ordered. Before the 1st test, they had lost twelve and drawn one, but now they have a victory to their name as well.

“It’s very important since we don’t win many matches outside home,” Najmul said. “I think we won in New Zealand and after that, we won here. This year, we made World Test Championship plans on how we can win matches outside or at least draw them. “That has brought good results and hopefully through this win the players and the fans will have more confidence. So hope is to play better cricket going forward,” he said.

“It’s an amazing feeling and when we came here in the morning we believed and we knew that we can win this match because we were 94 runs ahead and the pitch looked difficult especially [batting] against spinners while there was variable bounce for seamers,” he pointed out. “We believed that if we can bowl in the right areas we can beat them and that’s what happened.”

Along with seasoned players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mehedy Hasan, Najmul stated that their pace unit has improved significantly in recent years and that they are capable of competing with any side in the world. “As you all know, Shakib and Miraz are very experienced and used the conditions very well. So both of them along with the seamers bowled very well,” said Najmul.

“I don’t think so ( when asked if Pakistan took them lightly). As we know, their strength is pace bowling and over the last couple of years our pacers and spinners have been doing well. We bowled well but our batters batted really well in these hot conditions especially how the openers batted in the first 12 overs.

“Credit goes to all the batters especially how the openers handled the new ball against these quality bowlers. It’s a team effort and the bowling after that was excellent,” he further added.

Najmul claimed that a major factor in the victory was the preparation done back home. Prior to the series , Bangladesh conducted a lengthy preparation camp that started on May 25. As part of this preparation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to send six Test cricketers in the Bangladesh A team for the first four-day match of the series. Bangladesh’s practice was hindered by the political upheaval in the country, therefore they traveled to Pakistan ahead of schedule.

“Really special moment for us and we are really happy because of the way everyone showed their character in these hot conditions. The way we practiced over the last 15 days, did all the right things off the field is why we got the results,” Najmul said. “The players, who were on a break before the Tests, were doing their preparations back at home. That helped us in these conditions.”

Najmul dedicated the victory to the victims of the most recent student protest that resulted in a government change. “The win is dedicated to those who lost their lives during the anti-discrimination protest from among the students and public,” he said. “Lots of prayers from the team for them. Their families have gone through a very tough time and hope through this victory a little smile is brought to their faces.”