We are now confident to win the series: Shanto

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes

his side can achieve the record of winning all of the T20 series they play in
a calendar year after their historical victory against New Zealand in three-
match series opener today.

Bangladesh beat the Kiwis by five wickets for their first victory on New
Zealand soil and take 1-0 lead in the series. One more victory in the last
two matches will give them the series, which will be their fourth straight
series victory.

The Tigers could never end a year winning all of the series in any format of
cricket so far.

Bangladesh however will play the last two T20 matches at Bay Oval in Maunt
Maunganui, a venue where they got their landmark Test victory against New
Zealand last year.

“The victory in Napier will be a boost for us for the last two T20s in Maunt
Maunganui. The second and third T20 is indeed very important for us since we
want to win this series,” Shanto said after snapping nine-match losing streak
in T20 format on New Zealand soil today.

“The boys are very confident. But we should guard against the complacency and
plan for the next two matches. I hope everyone will be alert in doing their
job perfectly.”

Shanto won the all important toss and didn’t hesitate to send New Zealand in
to bat first. Bangladesh bowlers then came hard on New Zealand batters,
reducing them to just one run for three wickets-which was the Kiwis’ worst
start in T20 cricket.

Eventually New Zealand were able to put up 134-9. Shoriful Islam led the
charge with 3-26 while Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan played second
fiddle to him with 2-15 and 2-14 respectively. Bangladesh raced to the
victory in 18.5 over with Liton Das hitting 36 ball-42 not out.

“We are really happy to make a good start to the series by winning the first
game. We are proud of this achievement,” Shanto said.

“Our bowlers played vital role in winning the game for us. They are quick
learner. Shoriful, Sakib and Mustafizur bowled well with the new ball. I am
particularly impressed by the performance of Sheikh Mahedi. He was spinner
but he thrived in pace friendly condition,” Shanto remarked.

But the victory didn’t come with ease. Bangladesh lost wickets at regular
intervals and at one phase, it looked they were in trouble. However Liton and
Mahedi hit flurries of boundaries to help the side bring up the victory with
seven balls to spare.

“Pressure at the end is the beauty of cricket. It’s always challenging to bat
in this condition against a team like New Zealand. But after restricting them
to 134, we were confident about the victory,” he concluded. (BSS)