The 150-run victory over New Zealand yesterday is certain to go down as one of Bangladesh’s greatest successes in the longest format for a variety of reasons.
The Tigers’ maiden home Test success over the Kiwis is made all the more impressive by the fact that they did so without five familiar names, including regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan, and on the heels of a dismal World Cup campaign in India last month.
Before the start of the two-match Test series, the visitors, who entered with a full-strength squad, were considered the favourites. Bangladesh, on the other hand, began the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) on a high note.
It was Bangladesh’s second WTC triumph, and both came against the same opponents – the first of which happened in Mount Maunganui in the previous WTC cycle in 2022.
Taijul Islam stood out as the Player of the Match in a triumph in which practically everyone contributed. On the fifth and final day, the left-arm spinner took two-thirds of the wickets required for victory, en route to his second ten-wicket haul in Tests, allowing Najmul Hossain Shanto and company to close up the game with an anticipated two-and-a-half sessions to spare.
New Zealand were on 113 for seven at the start of the last day, chasing 332 runs, and needed something extraordinary to save them, with all hopes hanging on overnight hitter Daryl Mitchell. However, as spinner Nayeem Hasan intervened, the Kiwi middle-order hitter was the first to be dismissed for 58 on the day.
Taijul, who made the catch that resulted in Mitchell’s collapse, subsequently replaced skipper Tim Southee for his 12th five-for. The 31-year-old then claimed Ish Sodhi as his final victim, finishing with six for 75 as New Zealand were unable to extend their second innings beyond 181.
Taijul went on to build his reputation in spearheading the spin attack after demonstrating his class when it meant the most and escaping Shakib’s shadow.
The Tigers’ best component of this victory was perhaps the way they hunted, which made the whole appear larger than the sum of its parts.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 86-run home run was crucial, as were the few cameos from the batters who contributed to their 310-run first-inning total. Despite a few errors in the field, Shanto and company ensured that the visitors did not build a significant lead, thanks to Taijul’s four-wicket haul and Mominul Haque, who emerged as the unlikely hero with the ball, taking three wickets.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Nayeem, and lone pacer Shoriful Islam all played critical roles in both innings, while rookie Shahadat Hossain Dipu demonstrated potential with the willow.
Meanwhile, skipper Shanto took every opportunity to lead from the front. His on-field leadership was lauded, and his stunning century under pressure in the second innings, aided by fifties from experienced Mushfiqur Rahim and Miraz, enabled Bangladesh to set a goal difficult enough for the inaugural WTC victors.