Tigers return to Bangladesh after historic New Zealand tour

DHAKA - Bangladesh national cricket team returned to Dhaka today following a historic New Zealand tour where they secured their

first Test victory.

   They eventually drew the two-match Test series, making it their most
prolific series in their cricket history. This was Bangladesh's first drawn
Test series in a country that is well outside of Asia.

   Bangladesh won the first Test by eight wickets at Mount Maungunai, thanks
to a six for 46 from fast bowler Eabot Hossain in the second innings and lost
the second one by an innings and 117-run in Christchurch.

   Earlier, Bangladesh drew a Test series in Sri Lanka. Apart from Zimbabwe,
they had won a Test series in West Indies in 2009 but that was a team,
severely depleted in the absence of their most of the key players, making the
team a second string side.

   Bangladesh however was first Asian nation since 2010 to win a Test in New
Zealand and having done so, they also snapped New Zealand 17-match unbeaten
run at home.

   Team director Khaled Mahmud and experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim,
meanwhile, arrived in the country two days early. The rest of the players and
staff reached today.

   The eight-wicket victory in the first Test will certainly boost the morale
of the side ahead of a year which will pose tough challenges as they will
play outside of Asia more often than not.

   The cricketers will get busy as the upcoming (BPL) is set to begin on
January 21.

  The Tigers then host Afghanistan for three ODIs and two T20Is in February-
March before embarking on a trip to South Africa after almost five years for three ODIs and two Tests.BSS