India series win one of the biggest achievements for Bangladesh cricket, says Mashrafe

Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza thinks Bangladesh’s first-ever series win against India is one of the ‘biggest achievements’ in the nation’s cricketing history.

The hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Sunday with a commanding six-wicket win after Thursday’s 79-run victory at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh had been quite successful in ODIs over the last few years.

They have won home series against West Indies, played in the final of 2012 Asia Cup, and whitewashed New Zealand twice in 2010 and 2013.

They bettered their 2007 World Cup Super Eight participation by playing in the knockout stage of the showcase event for the first time earlier this year.

Following that, they also sealed their first-ever series win against Pakistan with a 3-0 clean sweep.

But victory over the number 2 ODI side with some aggressive all-round display has taken their game to new heights.

Asked whether it was the biggest success for the team, Mashrafe said, “It is definitely one of the biggest achievements. But every win is important as we are still improving. I hope we can maintain it.

“But obviously winning against a team like India, who are ranked second, is a huge achievement,” he said at the post-match press conference.

The Tigers’ splendid performance has taken even Mashrafe and Co by surprise.

“The truth is that even we did not expect to win the first two matches in such fashion… we knew the series against India would be competitive if we played our best.

“But fortunately everything went our way. The boys are very confident now.”