‘They have come a long way, I am very pleased’ – Chandika Hathurusingha lauds Bangladeshi youngsters after drubbing Afghanistan

Chandika Hathurusingha. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Bangladesh cricket team etched their name into the history books after dismantling Afghanistan in a one-off Test earlier this week. Bangladesh’s 546-run victory, the third largest by the margin of runs, over their Asian counterparts marked their progress in the longest format of the game. Following his side’s dominant display, Bangladesh’s Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha termed it as ‘more than a Test win’ in his interview.

The Litton Das-led side was all-over the visitors from the very first day and their dominance eventually translated into a mammoth victory. While the nature of the victory was impressive in itself, head coach Hathurusingha lauded the preparation of the players for the one-off encounter.

“I don’t know whether you all have seen and actually I have put it on social media saying that it is more than a Test win. What I meant was, the way we prepared for this game, which we haven’t done before…like how we prepared for the fast and green wicket, and so I thought that big win for us to play on that type of wicket and then come out with flying colours,” Hathurusingha said in a presser on Sunday.

Shanto and Joy calmed the nerves in the dressing room: Hathurusingha

The home side’s victory was built on 24-year-old Najmul Shanto’s record-setting performance as the top-order batter smashed centuries in both innings. While Hathurusingha praised the youngster’s proactive approach at the crease in tough batting conditions, he also lavished praise on the pacers for their discipline on a seemingly bowling-friendly surface.

“If the conditions are difficult, yes, we will be smart enough to bat the way the conditions allow us to bat. In the same way we must give credit to [Najmul Hossain] Shanto how he batted in the first two innings and especially the first two hours he and [Mahmudul Hasan] Joy… the way they batted, calmed the nerves of everybody in the dressing room.

The pleasing thing is that even on that fast and bouncy wicket they didn’t get carried away. The way the bowled was so good, a very professional approach. They didn’t use the bouncer for the sake of using it and most of the dismissals were on front foot, so those little things show the maturity of those fast bowlers that they have come a long way. I am very pleased,” he added.