Bangladesh stand-in-captain Liton Das credited his batsmen thanks to their biggest 546-run victory against their Afghanistan counterparts at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.
Bangladesh were wrapped up for 382 runs in its first innings, thanks to 146 from Najmul Hossain Shanto.
However, the hosts decided not to enforce follow-on as Afghanistan were wrapped up for 146.
Shanto again hit 124, making him the second Bangladeshi batter to hit a century in both innings of a Test, and Mominul Haque who achieved the feat as first Bangladeshi, ended century draught after two years with 121 not out, helping the side declare at 425-4 and set Afghanistan an improbable 662-run target.
‘The credit should go to the batsmen as it was not too easy to bat on the surface. Each and every batsman should get the credit,’ said Liton on Saturday in Mirpur.
Aside from the bowlers, the home skipper also lauded their bowling contingent due to their up-to-par shows that helped them to bow out the visitors for a paltry 146 and 115 in either innings to set a mammoth 662-run target.
‘Honestly speaking, our bowlers also performed very well. They maintained accuracy with their nifty hands. It’s a great achievement in Test cricket.’
Bangladesh had come into the series without their regular captain and best performer, Shakib Al Hasan, who was ruled out of the series due to his thumb injury.
However, despite his absence, the hosts could register their biggest victory in the longest format of cricket, which surely was a good sign as it would lessen their dependency in the upcoming days.
However, Liton was reluctant to think in such a way.
‘Before the game, the thing was like, it would be better if Shakib was there, and following the tie, it is being said that his absence was better.’
‘Thing was not like that, we have made the best use of our available arsenals we had to set the best XI. We didn’t have time to think who would be there or not.’
Perhaps Shakib Bhai wouldn’t with the side after two or four years but Bangladesh will have to move forward as a team. The side I have played with was the best and They have performed accordingly.’
