Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. File Photo

DHAKA, April 30, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto 
credited the total team effort to hit back with an incredible performance 
that won them the second and final cricket Test against Zimbabwe and avoid 
the ignominious series whitewash. 

The home side stood on the brink of being swept for the first time at the 
hands of Zimbabwe on home ground following a shocking three-wicket defeat in 
the first Test in Sylhet.

But, they showed the character to bounce back from that disappointing defeat, 
said Shanto.

"Brilliant performance," Shanto said in a word after Bangladesh confirmed the 
victory, crushing Zimbabwe by an innings and 106-run margin in the final Test 
at Bir Shrestha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.

"The whole team did a great job. The work they put in before the match, 
really happy (about it) and that is what we need to do consistently," he 
added.

The captain revealed that there is no pressure on them, specially when they 
came into the game with the back of a defeat that forced them gauge severe 
criticism.
 
"I don't think it is too much pressure on us. We did not play good cricket 
(in the first Test), but we knew we could play good cricket here because we 
have done that a lot of times," Shanto disclosed.

Unlike the Sylhet Test, Bangladesh batted with steely resolve in the only 
innings of the second Test with the openers paved the platform of the 
crushing victory.

Opener Anamul Haque Bijoy, playing his first Test in three years and Shadman 
Islam put on a 118-run partnership, Bangladesh's first century partnership in 
an opening stand since December 2022.

Bijoy though was dismissed for 39, Shadman went on to hit his second ton 
before being out on 120. Later, Mehidy Hasan Miraz also raised his second 
century in Test format to help Bangladesh take a massive 217 runs lead.

Zimbabwe crumbled under pressure of huge lead and eventually were bowled out 
for just 111 to concede an innings defeat with Miraz taking 5-32. Miraz also 
took 10 wickets in the first Test in the side's three-wicket defeat.

Before Miraz, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam triggered Zimbabwe collapse with 
6-60 as the visitors were bowled out for just 227, from a relatively strong 
position.

"We struggled a little with the opening partnership but the way Shadman and 
Bijoy batted, really impressive," Shanto said, adding that they need to keep 
up this performance.