Hasan Mahmud, the Bangladesh speedster, shared that sticking to the process worked for the visitors in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, where they find themselves in a situation of finishing a 2-0 series whitewash heading into the final day’s play in the second Test in Rawalpindi as well.
However, Bangladesh’s pace trio of Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed claimed all the 10 wickets in Pakistan’s second innings as the hosts bundled out for 172 on Monday. It was the first time ever that Bangladesh pacers claimed 10 wickets in a Test innings. Heading into the final day of the series, Bangladesh need 143 more runs to win the match as well as the series, which will be their first-ever Test series win over Pakistan as well.
“Whenever a fast bowler is asked to bowl, his only plan is to bowl wicket-taking deliveries. The more he gets to bowl, the more success he will get,” Hasan, who picked his maiden fifer in Test cricket, told reporters at the post-match press conference. “Nahid Rana came and bowled superbly. After that, the momentum probably shifted towards us. When I was asked to bowl, I stuck to my process. That’s why I got those wickets.”
“I should give the credit to all my teammates (for the fifer) who work hard behind the scenes every time. The plan was very simple: whenever you get the new ball, bowl according to the line your captain says the team wants. So we tried to bowl according to our plans and we got wickets every time. Whenever you get a fifer, it brings joy. It’s a matter of pride to play for your country and your team. We were very happy to win a Test, and now have a chance to win another one,” he again shared.
Hasan Mahmud also said that the 55-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha bothered them, but he was happy to end that alliance.
“We just tried to bowl in one area without thinking too much. Our plan was to save runs and boundaries from both sides and to continue bowling well. If there was no rain, I think we would have tried to finish the match today or in the first session tomorrow,” Hasan concluded. “I think they didn’t think about the rain. They were trying to play every ball (to its merit). When it was a bad ball, they put it away.”