“Winning the first Test match was important for us to believe in our capability of winning overseas”

“A lot of challenges await us as a team this year,” Mominul said. “Everyone, including the opponents, had assumed that we wouldn’t do well abroad. This series will create more awareness about us. We have Test series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies [in the next six months]. It won’t be easy for us. We have to accept the challenges and continue well.”

Mominul said that his insistence that a wholesome team effort usually brings his team success was proved in Mount Maunganui when nearly all eleven members contributed to the eight-wicket win.

Mominul, Litton Das, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto struck fifties, while Mehidy Hasan and Yasir Ali put together a crucial late partnership to hold up New Zealand for 173 overs. Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed contributed with 13 wickets, while Mehidy and Mominul made vital breakthroughs too. Bangladesh dropped a few catches but also took some good ones, especially Shadman Islam and Shoriful.

“I got the captaincy at a very tough moment. I always dreamed of winning against big teams. But that belief has to be visible. I think winning the first Test match was important for us to believe in our capability of winning overseas. We will one day win a Test series abroad.

“So, getting that belief, for myself, the team and even for you, was a significant step. There are many positives. I always stress on a combined team effort, which I always believe brings us wins,” he said.

Mominul however lamented the way his side went down in Christchurch, bowling and batting poorly in the first innings, before Litton’s 102 in the second innings gave them something to cheer about.

“We couldn’t bowl up to the mark in this Test. We batted poorly in the first innings. Only Yasir Ali Rabbi made a fifty and Sohan made a forty. I should have stepped up as the senior player and captain. Litton played an outstanding knock in the second innings. Sohan also did well. There were some positives,” he said.