Bangladesh opener and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal on Wednesday took to social to post a heartfelt note, congratulating Mominul Haque’s team for beating New Zealand in New Zealand for the first time in their history. Tamim heaped praise on captain Mominuil, saying it was the skipper who never stopped believing in the team even during some difficult phases of their journey in Test cricket.

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in New Zealand for the first time in 21 years of their trips Down Under. It was also their first Test victory over the Black Caps in 16 attempts as they ended New Zealand’s 17-match unbeaten run on home soil.

Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain was instrumental in helping Bangladesh script history as he picked up his best figures of 6/46. Ebadot, a former volleyball player who had taken 11 wickets in his 10 previous Tests, led the way as the tourists dismissed the ‘Black Caps’ for 169 early on day five to leave them requiring 40 runs for a famous victory.

After losing both openers in the chase, it was left to captain Mominul Haque and experienced batsman Mushfiqur Rahim to usher Bangladesh to their first victory outside Asia. It was Mominul who stepped up in the first innings as well as the skipper hit 88 and helped Bangladesh post 458 and take a 130-run first-innings lead.

“When the team went through a rough patch, when no one believed in the team, when the players doubted themselves, there was one person who still did not lose faith,” Tamim wrote in a Facebook post.

“He kept on believing and tried to instill the belief in everyone that ‘we can, we definitely can’. There were bad days and poor performances. But that did not see him lose faith on the team. His emotions for Test cricket is immense and he prioritises the format most.

“Mominul Haque. Hats off to our Test skipper,” he added.

WE SHOWED WE CAN: TAMIM

Bangladesh were without Tamim, a prolific run-getter for them in Tests, and top-ranked all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan due to injury concerns.

Not many gave the visitors a chance, considering New Zealand hadn’t lost to an Asian side, including Pakistan and India, since 2011. However, Mominul’s men played with guts and composure to achieve the unthinkable and pull of one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets.

“Year after year, series after series, we returned empty-handed from New Zealand. For many reasons, the situation was even tougher this time. But this team managed a win amid all these setbacks. It is one of the toughest things in cricket nowadays to beat New Zealand in their home. And we showed that we can!” Tamim added.