After achieving a historic clean sweep against Pakistan in the Test series, the Bangladesh cricket team has returned to the country, greeted with much enthusiasm. Their remarkable victory marked the first time they had ever won a Test series against the Pakistani team, which created immense excitement across the nation.
Upon their arrival, team members led by Najmul Hossain Shanto were met with flowers and sweets at Dhaka Airport, a gesture of appreciation from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials. Their journey had included stopovers in Dubai and Doha, with the team returning in two groups. While the players enjoyed a warm reception, it was noted that former captain Shakib Al Hasan did not return with the team, as he headed to the United Kingdom. Shakib is expected to join the team later in India for their upcoming series.
The series against Pakistan was particularly disappointing for the visitors. Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan endured a 2-0 defeat, with both Tests held at Rawalpindi cricket stadium. This loss marked their fifth consecutive defeat in Test cricket, resulting in a significant drop in the ICC Test rankings. The Pakistani team now holds the eighth position, their lowest ranking since 1965, according to the ICC. In contrast, Bangladesh currently occupies the ninth spot on the list, just behind Pakistan.
Moreover, in the ICC World Test Championship standings, Pakistan’s struggles continued as they fell to the eighth position. Bangladesh, however, managed to rise to fourth place, a notable improvement for The Tigers.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh is preparing for their next challenge: a series against India. The upcoming matches, set to begin on September 19 in Chennai, will include two Tests and three T20 Internationals.
