Brendon McCullum backs Bangladesh to build on their historic victory

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series. It came as a shock for Blackcaps being the World Test champions as the team had not lost a Test match since 2016. Bangladesh became the first Asian team to win a Test match in New Zealand since 2011 and also it was Bangladesh’s first win on New Zealand soil in any format of the game.

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field in the first test which was played at Mount Maunganui. New Zealand dominated the bowlers in the first innings, with Devon Conway making 122 runs which helped the Blackcaps post a total of 328 runs.

For Bangladesh, no batter could make a century but four half-centuries from the Bangladeshi batting unit helped the team earn a lead of 130 runs. New Zealand could make only 169 runs and gave a target of 40 runs which Bangladesh chased down with eight wickets in hand.

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum hopes that this win might be a stepping stone in Bangladesh’s cricket history and the team might achieve more victories like this in the future. McCullum also mentioned that Bangladesh has been competitive in world cricket but has also failed to live up to the expectations.

“With the amount of skills they have and the passion and playing numbers they have over in Bangladesh, there’s got to be a time at some stage where they have a line in the sand moment they don’t retreat from. I really hope this is it, it’s not just a one-off,” said McCullum on SEN Cricket.

“We’ve seen a couple of false storms from Bangladesh before, even as recently as their T20 side toweling up Australia in their own conditions, toweling up New Zealand in their own conditions, then showing up to the T20 World Cup and being incredibly disappointing.”

Bangladesh’s victory is good for the global game: Brendon McCullum

McCullum thinks that the victory might be a turning point for Bangladesh and the team might become a consistent side in international cricket. He also mentioned that this win would be very good for the game of cricket at the global level.

“So, I really hope – as tough as it is for a former Kiwi player to look at the result and be okay with it – I look at it and I just think it’s got to be good for the global game, and I hope this is that moment for Bangladesh.”