A Bangladeshi Test win at Mount Maunganui against then world champions New Zealand in the 2022 Test would certainly go down in Tigers history as a historic achievement. But even Mominul Haque, the Tigers captain at the time, believes that winning an away series evokes a very different feeling in the team than a one-off victory.

The victory at Mount Maunganui was achieved in hostile conditions against one of the best Test teams in the world. However, the next Test in Christchurch did not follow a similar script.

This time, however, the first Test was won in grand style in Rawalpindi, as a powerful first-innings score blunted Pakistan’s eager pace attack. Ultimately, it paved the way for a dominant victory in the second Test at the same venue within a week.

From the brilliant plays of Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das to the masterful play of Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana and the all-round performances of Mehedi Hasan Miraz, there have been many stories of personal triumphs that have turned the distant dream of winning the away series, pursued since 2009, into a reality.

“We won the Test match in New Zealand and that was one feeling but winning the series here is a completely different feeling. Winning a Test match and drawing the series and on the other hand winning the series are completely different things,” Mominul, a part of the Tigers’ 2-0 victory over Pakistan, told The Daily Star in a telephone interview from Pakistan on Tuesday.

Bangladesh’s blend of youth and experience has meshed perfectly in Pakistan Tests, with veterans like Mushfiqur and Shakib stepping up to the plate whenever needed.

The courage of youth also triumphed, especially in the speed attack.

Under Mominul’s leadership, a renaissance of fast running began in Bangladesh and he gave due recognition to the stars of the sport.

“For winning this series, 70 per cent of the credit goes to them (the pacers). The way they train and the intense netball sessions they go through are unbelievable. Even when I was the captain, I saw the fire in them and the will to keep improving.

“If you look at the circumstances five years ago, there was no competition among pacers. Now there is a lot of competition and if someone gets hurt, there is almost no chance of a comeback,” Mominul said.

In Rawalpindi, the x-factor in Nahid, who is a fast bowler, was visible. Mominul revealed the energy that the pacer was able to impart.

“I think a different kind of fast bowler is coming into the world with Nahid. A lot of players have high hopes and the vibe in the team is really positive about his prospects. One of the great things about him is that he is always trying to learn something new. Some bowlers often just try to bowl fast, but when I played with him in the ‘A’ team and even before that, I noticed that he was very interested in learning,” Mominul said of the 21-year-old, lanky bowler.

Given the fact that Mominul had to endure a decline in Bangladesh’s Test performance even after their triumph at Mount Maunganui, it is logical that he wanted the Tigers to continue in the longer format from then on.

“I think winning this Test match and this series will give us a chance to take our cricketing culture, our game, to a new level,” Mominul hoped.