Bangladesh finally were able to put a disciplined performance for which they were craving for. Thrashing Zimbabwe by 218 runs for their second biggest victory in terms of runs, they avoided a shameful series defeat and also prevented a spirited Zimbabwe side from achieving their first Test series victory since 2011.

But the shocking loss in the first Test still bleeds them to such extent that prompted stand- in skipper Mahmudullah saying, “feel bad to share the trophy’.

He was not the happiest man despite looking relieved to avoid an embarrassment against Zimbabwe by leveling the two-match Test series.

For the host the first Test defeat (by 151 runs) was morale shattering, considering it came after a gap of 17 years against the visitors and a further slip would or unable to level the series would have naturally put them into some sort of embarrassment.

There was huge outcry in on and off the field after they tasted a sensational collapse in the first Test to loss the match and scored below 200 twice, making it eight straight innings to not to be able to cross 200 runs figure.

Mahmudullah said they were hurt more than the people were hurt for this defeat. He revealed that tears rolled down from their eyes, which nobody saw.

“Neither anyone sees our tears nor do we disclose it to anyone,” he said in a rigid tone. So the victory in second Test to level the series is a relief.

‘’If you consider it that way surely it was relief as it helped us to avoid an embarrassment. I think we should feel happy when we achieve a win and we have the right to celebrate our victory. When we perform badly we are the ones who are most hurt in the dressing room.”

 ‘’So there cannot be any comparison like whether we are happy or relief,’’ he added.

The stand in skipper said that he was satisfied that they fought hard and achieved the win that happens to be their first Test win in 14 months.

 ‘’ I think it was a hard fought game and we did not earn the win easily. Everyone worked hard. The double hundred of Mushfiqur and Mominul’s 150 runs (161) or the 30 or 40 overs that Taijul bowled cannot be taken lightly because it is not easy to perform in this manner,’’ said Mahmudullah.

Everyone was committed,’’ he said adding that he is happy that Bangladesh made a turnaround.

After the opening Test Mahmudullah was criticized for stating that there is no point playing Test cricket if the host continue to play in this manner.

“I feel if we play the like the way we did in the opening Test than there is no point playing Test cricket while at the same time if we play the way we did in this Test match surely there is a point in playing Test cricket,’’ he said.

Mahmudullah who scored 122 runs in 10 innings before scoring a career saving hundred against Zimbabwe, said that he is relieved to make some runs as he believed it was necessary for him to get out of the lean patch.

‘’Yes, you can say it was a little relief because I did not perform well in the last five Tests, there was no fifty. I was struggling in this format. I wanted to evaluate my place, because the captain always needs to perform from the front. I had that accountability within myself,’’ said Mahmudullah.

Mahmudullah added that the win would help them have some confidence ahead of the series against West Indies that is comprised with two Test matches along with three Twenty20 and three ODI’s.

Bangladesh were embarrassed by the West Indian in the two-match Test series against West Indies but made a comeback in the shorter formats.

“Naturally this win will help us to go into the Test series with some confidence. I am looking forward to carry on the momentum,’’ he added.