Bangladesh failed miserably to put up a decent showing during their 209-run thumping at the hands of Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy today.
But, like always, the Tigers did not fail to come up with a bag filled with positives even after losing the two-match Test series 1-0. The first match of the series ended in a draw at the same venue.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.
“Obviously there are a lot of positives to take [from this series]. I lost the series but that doesn’t mean I lost everything. Obviously, there will be criticism from you people and everyone else but I think there are a lot of positives to take,” Mominul said at the post-match press conference today.
Bangladesh batsmen prospered on a batting-friendly wicket in the first Test of the series in Kandy but returned to their old self in the second Test when asked questions by Sri Lankan spinners on a pitch that had plenty of turn and bounce on offer.
22-year-old Praveen Jayawickrama, who came into the side as Sri Lanka’s fourth choice left-arm spinner, almost single-handedly outwitted the Tigers as he became the first Sri Lankan to complete a 10-wicket haul in Tests on debut. He ended with match figures of 11 for 178.
Despite their humble surrender to Sri Lankan spinners in the second Test, Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul believed there were plenty of positives to take from the series.
“I wanted to play as a team as we could not do it in the last few Tests [before this series]. I think we were able to play as a team in the first Test. Our team does well when everyone contributes,” added Mominul.
The 29-year-old left-hander then went on to remind the other positives that he, as a captain, could take from this tour.
“Tamim bhai has two 90s and a 70 [in the series], then [Najmul Hossain ] Shanto scored 163 [in first Test], Mushfiq[ur Rahim] bhai has a fifty [in the first Test], Tajiul [Islam] bagged a fifer [in the second Test] and Liton [Das] has a fifty [in the first Test].
“Then there is Taskin’s [Ahmed] bowling. I think even you were excited with Taskin as none of our pacers were able to put up a show [lately]. If you think in that line, then Taskin’s bowling is a big positive. He is better than before and improved a lot,” concluded Mominul.
