We have to believe otherwise it’s not possible: Miraz
Mehidy Hasan Miraz put Bangladesh's historic win over Australia down to belief, saying the dressing room carried one simple message throughout the first Test which they won by nine wickets inside four days at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Sunday.
“It was excellent cricket from us. We’ve been here after a long time. Excellent performance from the team, showed our character,” Miraz said after Bangladesh’s victory.
Bangladesh had arrived in Australia knowing the challenge they faced, but Miraz said the team carried a clear message into the tour: they had to believe they could beat their highly rated opponents.
“We had the belief. Australia are a world-class team and have lots of good players. We knew if we beat them, it would be very good for our country,” he said.
“Had just one message, that we have to believe otherwise it’s not possible,” he added, underlining the mindset that helped Bangladesh overcome Australia.
Miraz’s belief had also been strengthened by his century in the tour match before the Test. But he credited the team’s collective effort for Bangladesh’s performance in Mackay.
“We need to think of how to perform in these conditions. We batted well and bowled well at the right times,” he said.
He singled out Tanzid Hossain Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque for their contributions with the bat, while also acknowledging the lower order’s role in helping him score his runs.
“The way Tanzid Tamim batted in the first innings, Shanto and Mominul doing very well, and then the excellent partnership with the lower order helped me,” Miraz said.
“If they got out, I couldn’t have scored my runs. They were there, so that’s why I could. I told them, ‘do not think about who is bowling at you.’”
Miraz also praised Shanto’s captaincy, saying the Bangladesh skipper had made the right decisions at crucial moments during the Test.
“He is a very good captain, makes good decisions at the right time,” Miraz said.
He also pointed to the effectiveness of Bangladesh’s spin attack, with Hasan Mahmud taking six wickets in the first innings and the spinners sharing six wickets in the second.
“The footmarks helped,” Miraz said, highlighting one of the factors that aided Bangladesh’s bowlers in the conditions.
The victory has sparked celebrations back home, with Miraz saying the team was aware of the pride and happiness the result had generated among supporters.
“I think everybody is happy. They are very proud. It’s a proud moment,” he said.
“Lots of crowd came [in Darwin], thank you fans, for coming and supporting us. They believed that we won the match and that’s why we won,” Miraz added.