BAN vs NZ | New Zealand series will create more awareness about us, says Mominul Haque
Mominul Haque believes that the series against New Zealand will create awareness about the team
|Mominul Haque has said that the series will create more awareness about the team after they drew the two match Test series in New Zealand by 1-1. Bangladesh won the first match of the series and it was the first instance in four years when the Blackcaps were beaten in their own backyard.
The recent two match Test series between Bangladesh and New Zealand ended in a 1-1 draw as the hosts won the second fixture by an innings and 117 runs. Bangladesh had won the first Test by eight wickets and Ebadot Hossain produced a heroic performance for them.
Bangladesh was considered a weak side before the series but they have come out with an enhanced reputation by the end of the series with a victory in New Zealand. Also this was the first instance in four years that any team had beaten New Zealand in their own backyard. Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque has said that the series will create more awareness about the Bangladesh team and oppositions will not consider them a weak side.
"A lot of challenges await us as a team this year. Everyone, including the opponents, had assumed that we wouldn't do well abroad. This series will create more awareness about us. We have Test series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies [in the next six months]. It won't be easy for us. We have to accept the challenges and continue well,” Mominul stated.
Bangladesh’s previous wins overseas came in 2009 against West Indies and twice in Zimbabwe in 2013 and 2021. The team won the first Test against New Zealand this series with a team effort. Mominul, Litton Das, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto scored half-centuries. Also Mehidy Hasan and Yasir Ali stitched a crucial late partnership vital for Bangladesh in taking the lead in the first innings. Ebadot Hossain produced a magical spell for them picking six wickets in the second innings.
Mominul stated that a combined team effort helped them win the first Test and also was confident that the team will win a Test series abroad.
"I got the captaincy at a very tough moment. I always dreamed of winning against big teams. But that belief has to be visible. I think winning the first Test match was important for us to believe in our capability of winning overseas. We will one day win a Test series abroad,” he stated.
"So, getting that belief, for myself, the team and even for you, was a significant step. There are many positives. I always stress on a combined team effort, which I always believe brings us wins.”
New Zealand completely dominated the second Test to secure a win and equalise the series. Mominul admitted that the bowling and batting was poor in the first innings in the fixture.
"We couldn't bowl up to the mark in this Test. We batted poorly in the first innings. Only Yasir Ali Rabbi made a fifty and Sohan made a forty. I should have stepped up as the senior player and captain. Litton played an outstanding knock in the second innings. Sohan also did well. There were some positives," he concluded.
