Iqbal lauds Bangladesh progression ahead of Pakistan series finale

Tamim Iqbal - Cropped

Bangladesh can build on their ground-breaking one-day international series win over Pakistan, in the dead rubber on Wednesday.

A Tamim Iqbal-inspired Bangladesh outfit built on their first ODI win over Pakistan in 16 years in the series opener on Friday, by sealing the three-match stretch with a seven-wicket triumph on Sunday.

And the Bangladeshis are not settling for less, as they won their first series since progressing to their first knockout stage at a Cricket World Cup in Australia/New Zealand in March.

Celebrating their historic series win over the Pakistanis, Iqbal conceded their opponents were weaker than usual in the batting department - but rated Bangladesh's triumph up there with their best.

"As a team this was a very important series because we didn't beat them after 1999," Tamim said, ahead of the third ODI in Mirpur.

"We were close in the last few matches as a team. This is an important series for us after the World Cup performance. I will rate it equally [with other wins] because if you see their bowling attack, they can match the best in the world.

"They may be a little inexperienced with regards to the batting, but the best thing is that we managed to win. 

"Somehow in the past we often found a way to lose but to win against them is a different feeling. So I will equally rate them all. 

"We just played a good World Cup and if we weren't able to play well here, then there would have been doubts with regards to our performance.

"This was as important because had we not played well here, people would have talked again. But this proves that we are improving and we are ready to take another step. So I am really happy from the aspect of a team."

Personally Iqbal - who became the third Bangladesh player to hit back-to-back ODI centuries - said it was a relief to silence his critics.

"Personally this was a very important series. I was due. Thanks to God that all came well. There will always be criticism. This is not in my hands," the opener, who has made 132 and 116 not out so far this series.

"I can't stop people but yesterday I said in an interview that I am ready for criticism. I am a professional cricketer but it should not be personal. 

"For me, my family suffered a lot. I played badly. I am at fault. But because of me if my family suffers this is not fair."

Pakistan will need to regroup following the shocking series defeat, but spinner Saeed Ajmal will be buoyed by his first ODI wicket back from suspension.

After going for 0-74 in his 10 overs on Friday in his first ODI following his ban for an illegal action, Ajmal bounced back to nab the wicket of Mahmudullah to finish with 1-49 off 9.1 on Sunday.

Pakistan's bowlers have only taken nine wickets across the two ODIs, while going at more than six-an-over.

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