BSS
Bangladesh Test opener Shadman Islam was elated to finally hit a century for which he was craving for.
He said, he was determined to make his chance in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe count and that determination led him to be successful to fulfill his goal.
“Every batsman dreams to hit a century in Test cricket, I am no exception,” Shadman said here at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport today as he returned to the country with the rest of the players who are the part of the Test squad only.
“I have been preparing myself and I was confident that some day it will happen. I was able to give my best in Zimbabwe and so the best result came. It is also good for the team because we won the game. We have come to the country with a Test victory,” he added.
Test captain Mominul Haque, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali Rabbi, Nayeem Hassan, Ebadot Hossain and Abu Jayed Rahi were the other players who returned to the country along with Shadman.
Shadman made his debut in Test cricket against West Indies at home den in 2018. Thereafter he played seven Tests but was not able to hit a century. The much-anticipated ton came in his eighth Test when he struck a brilliant 115 against Zimbabwe in the second innings of the game.
He was also looked well set in the first innings but failed to convert his start. Bangladesh though were dubbed favourite in the Test, still there vulnerable record in the longer version format, coupled with Zimbabwe’s condition created a question whether they really could win the game.
But the perfect performance from the batsmen, complemented by the bowlers’ tireless job made the things happen. It was Bangladesh’s eighth Test win against Zimbabwe in 15 encounters.
“Their condition was challenging but we always believed that we are better team than Zimbabwe. Our preparation was also good and to make the things easier, we got off to a good start. Mahmudullah Riyad, Mominul Haque and Taskin Ahmed played really well to turn the things around us,” he opined.
Meanwhile, the players called up for the ODI and T20 squad had already joined the rest of the team in Harare. But fast bowler Rubel Hossain and newly called up Shamim Patwari are still in the country due to their visa complicacy.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) source disclosed that the duo’s visa problem will be solved Tuesday and they may fly for Harare.
