Bangladesh team director Khalid Mahmood lauded his team’s batting performance in the first Test against New Zealand, saying the batting process was excellent. Bangladesh stunned everyone with a solid and gritty batting performance, ending the third day at 401/6 and leading by 73 runs.
“Very good day for our Test cricket history. It has been challenging but our process was excellent, the boys did a great job. The way we batted, the execution was perfect, we probably scored 226 for the loss of four wickets today. The players have spent time between the wickets, and they have done a great job,” Mahmood said in the virtual press conference after the day’s play.
Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 64 and Mahmudul Hasan Joe’s 78 were followed by captain Mominul Haque’s 88, while wicketkeeper Liton Das scored 86. At stumps, Yasir Ali scored an unbeaten 11 off 35 balls for 11 not out, while Mehdi Hasan remained unbeaten in 38 balls. 20. Mahmood thought a lead of 150 would be great for Bangladesh.
IND vs SA, 2nd Test, Day 1 Live Scorecard & Updates
“Tomorrow morning is very important. We have four wickets now and this partnership is very important. I think Mehdi Hasan and Yasir Ali need to bat for some time tomorrow. We have a 73-run lead now “If we add around 70 runs to bring it to 150, we will be in a good position. We want to survive and do well. Even if we can’t win, we still want to draw in a Test match.” Still 180 overs left and if we bowl well it will be difficult to score runs.
Mahmood expressed happiness over the 158-run partnership between Haque and Das, who played 244 and 177 balls respectively for the fifth wicket. “It was a great partnership between Mominul and Liton. He batted really well against a New Zealand attack that always comes in front of you with discipline. Mominul played a great innings. He spent a lot of time in the middle, he bowled a lot of deliveries. Just like Joy did earlier. Mominul is a more experienced Test cricketer than Liton but both batted brilliantly.”
Read also | Mominul Haque, Liton Das give Bangladesh a lead of 73 runs
Mahmood, a former Bangladesh Test and ODI captain, signed off saying that all the four half-centuries had worked really hard to keep the team in pole position in the match. “I always talk to them (players) separately and try to motivate them. I just told him that we have lost a match despite declaring 595 (in Wellington) but we can’t always lose. One group must stand, and why not this group?”
“We need to follow the right procedure and more importantly play with courage and independence. There are no ghosts here. We believed we could do it but there was also fear looking at the young team. Shadman, Joy, Shanto, Yasir and Liton are all not very experienced but have the potential to do well here. He worked hard and it helped him.”
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
,