Multan, Sept 07: Bangladesh, who came desperately close to their first cricket test win this weekend, now have the self-belief to win matches and victories will follow, their coach Dav Whatmore said today. Pakistan pipped the tourists by just one wicket here yesterday, only the second time the home side has achieved the feat after victory over Australia in Karachi in 1994-5.
But Whatmore said he was confident that Bangladesh, who were whitewashed 3-0 in the series following seven- and nine-wicket defeats in Karachi and Peshwawar, were getting closer to their first victory after 24 tests without a win.
"The self-belief of Bangladesh team is now good enough to win matches," said Whatmore.
"I believe the desire to win matches, the willingness and collectively the feeling is growing."
Several Bangladeshi players were weeping in the dressing room after they were denied by an unbeaten 138 from Inzamam-ul Haq, who was also involved in the 1994-5 last-wicket stand against Australia.
"We were unlucky not to win the Multan test but our performance beckons that we will do better in future," said captain Khaled Mahmud, who took over as skipper in April following Bangladesh's winless World Cup.
Bureau Report