We Showed Great Character in Galle Test: Shanto

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto claimed that his side showed a lot of character to draw the first cricket Test against Sri Lankan at Galle International Cricket Stadium today. The visitors indeed dominated the last session of the Test, reducing Sri Lanka to 72-4 while chasing 296 for a victory. The way Bangladesh spinners –Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan—found the turn and bounce, the result is believed to have been very different had they got enough time to bowl Sri Lankan batters. Bangladesh was expected to go all out attack when they resumed 177-4 on Day 5 but instead they played watchfully, eliminating any chance of Sri Lanka to win the Test. “We did not have enough confidence (against Zimbabwe), but before this series, we had great preparation and we showed a lot of character in this match,” Shanto said after the match. “The way Mushfiqur bhai batted with me, it was brilliant.” The rain also put a brake on the game when Mushfiqur and Shanto were batting. However, just before the rain arrived Mushfiqur was trapped run out for 49.

But Shanto went on to score 125 not out, following his 148 in the first innings. Thus, he became the first Bangladesh batter and 14th overall to hit centuries in both innings of Test twice. He also became the 16th captain to achieve the feat of twin century in a Test. For his groundbreaking performance, Shanto eventually was adjudged man of the match. “I did not know that (I became the first Bangladesh captain to score centuries in both innings of a Test), but feels very good to contribute to the team,” an elated Shanto said. When Bangladesh declared the innings on an increasingly deteriorating pitch, they had just 32 overs to bowl. The debate was going on in the social media that whether Bangladesh should declare early by batting rapidly. Shanto spoke on declaration, saying that the sudden rain forced them alter their plan.

“We would have declared earlier but the rain arrived. The rain in fact suddenly came and the plan suddenly changed. We cannot control those things,” Shanto said, further praising the effort of Taijul and Nayeem. “The way Taijul and Nayeem bowled (after the declaration) was really good. In these conditions, the way Nayeem bowled in the first innings, it was brilliant,” he added. He specially was happy for Nayeem who claimed a five-for in the first innings to help Bangladesh a slim but crucial 10-run lead. “Nayeem did not have many chances but his work ethic is brilliant and today, he showed how good he is,” Shanto remarked.