India vs Bangladesh Test Series: Tigers come hunting after Pakistan triumph

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. It’s not often that an India-Bangladesh Test series garners as much anticipation as the one starting on 19 September in Chennai. Bangladesh’s historic 2-0 Test series win away from home in Pakistan earlier this month has raised the passionate cricket nation’s status—the greatest ever triumph in the history of Bangladesh as a Test playing nation.

Now the Tigers come hunting in neighbouring India. It’s a tall order to replicate their success against a cricketing powerhouse that hasn’t lost a series at home in over a decade. Here’s a measure of the task: Bangladesh will need to end India’s streak of 17 consecutive Test series wins at home.

But no result can be ruled out, as Sri Lanka showed recently by beating the newly crowned T20 world champions in an ODI series in the island nation. Even more impressive was Bangladesh’s stunning achievement in Pakistan, a performance that showcased new talent and exceptional resolve. It’s harder to get unexpected results in 5-day cricket than in T20s and ODIs.

Bangladesh had to dig deep and stay the course against Pakistan. They did this with a mix of exciting fresh faces and old hands who could handle pressure. When Pakistan declared at 448 for 6 in the first Test, the match appeared to be heading for a repeat of past drubbings.

But the new Bangla opener, Shadman Islam, who missed a century by 7 runs, and former Bangla captain, Mushfiqur Rahim, who missed a double century by 9 runs, had other ideas. They turned the game around as Bangladesh amassed 565 against a bowling attack that included Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Then the spin duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bundled Pakistan out for 146 on an abrasive fifth day wicket.