Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal believes the historic Test win over Australia in Darwin has sent a strong message to world cricket.
Bangladesh beat Australia by nine wickets in the first Test to record their first Test victory on Australian soil.
“This is an extraordinary win and an extraordinary achievement,” Tamim said to reporters on Sunday. “Playing in Australia is very difficult for any team. Bangladesh went there after 23 years and won by playing the way they did. One thousand percent of the credit goes to them.”
Tamim gave full credit to the players, team management and selectors. He said the board’s role was only to provide support, facilities and guidance.
“This is not just a win, it sends a strong message. We are all very happy,” he said.
Tamim also believes the victory can help Bangladesh secure more competitive international series in the future. He said the next FTP meeting will take place next month.
“We will try to convince other teams and get better series. This win will help us in discussions with other teams. We will try to make our FTP as competitive as possible and play against the bigger teams.”
Bangladesh’s position in the World Test Championship has also raised hopes of a possible push for the final. Tamim said the possibility exists mathematically but did not want to look too far ahead.
“What is more important to me is that they maintain the kind of cricket they are playing now,” he said. “The way they are playing, anything is possible.”
Tamim also praised the work done with Bangladesh’s fast bowlers. He credited former pace bowling coach Shaun Tait and local coach Talha Jubair for maintaining the progress.
On the absence of a television broadcast of the historic Test in Bangladesh, Tamim said the BCB had no control over the rights for an away series.
“We would have been happier if it was shown on a Bangladeshi channel,” he said. “Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to watch matches on Bangladeshi television in situations like this.”
Tamim also confirmed that talks over the India series remain ongoing, with regular board to board communication.
For the former Bangladesh captain, however, the significance of the Darwin victory stood above everything else.
“This is probably the biggest win in the history of Bangladesh cricket,” Tamim said. “We are all equally happy with this achievement. I am extremely proud.”
