Opener Tamim Iqbal top-scored with 82 as Bangladesh pulled off a historic four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo yesterday.
The rare win for Bangladesh — just their fourth away from home and first against Sri Lanka in 18 attempts — meant the two-Test series was drawn after the visitors suffered a 259-run loss in Galle.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina phoned the team to congratulate them as hundreds of fans marched through the capital Dhaka, waving flags and chanting in celebration.
With his team chasing a victory target of 191, teenager Mehedi Hasan hit the winning run after an anxious half-hour in the final session of the fifth day — getting Bangladesh across the line in 57.5 overs.
Tamim laid the groundwork with his 22nd Test fifty, teaming up with Sabbir Rahman (41) for a third-wicket partnership of 109.
Sri Lanka struck in phases through spinners Dilruwan Perera and skipper Rangana Herath, who grabbed three wickets each.
But the attack lacked the cutting edge to prevent Bangladesh from celebrating their 100th Test match in style.
Bangladesh began looking nervous when Tamim — who faced 82 balls and hit seven fours and a six — hoisted a catch to Dinesh Chandimal off Perera just before the tea break.
Perera then removed Sabbir through a successful review, giving Sri Lanka an outside chance of victory.
Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan got Bangladesh through to tea with 35 runs still needed, but Perera got a lucky break soon after the resumption when Shakib dragged a ball onto his stumps and was out for 15.
Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 22 to get Bangladesh home in company with Mehedi, after some support from debutant Mosaddek Hossain, who made 13.
“Obviously I feel great,” Mushfiqur said.
“The boys really stepped up under pressure and there were lot of partnerships in the bowling. I really enjoyed it. If you look at the last few series, we have played some good cricket.”
Herath said Sri Lanka would go back to the drawing board after suffering their first defeat of his captaincy.
“We have a lot of areas to improve, but this is not the time to talk about it. We will talk with the coaches,” he said.
Tamim was named man of the match while Shakib took the award for player of the series.
“This was a very important win. It wasn’t easy. We had to come back strong after the first Test,” Shakib said.