‘We showed great character against the world champions’

Bangladesh showed great fighting spirit to clinch the ODI and T20 series after a disastrous start to the tour of West Indies where they lost the Test series 2-0.

Two-time T20 world champions West Indies are a formidable force in the shortest format of the game and to comeback against them in the series after losing the first game took some effort from the Tigers.

"Unbelievable effort from the boys. After losing the first game, we showed a lot of character," he says. "Everybody believed we could come back. We were facing the world champions, and we showed great character," Shakib, chosen as player of the series said after the match.

"Our record in T20s is not that great and hopefully from now it will kick on," he added.

Shakib has contributed to Bangladesh's cause both with the bat and ball throughout the T20 series. He bowled economically in both the second and third T20s, picking up wickets as well. His 38-ball 60 knock yesterday in the second match was crucial to Bangladesh getting a big total and he said that his overall performance got better due to his batting.

"I think I was batting well throughout the series. I was hitting the ball well, and that gave me the confidence which also helped me bowl well and captain well."

He also reiterated that the Tigers are a strong unit and they helped each other out.

"Just really proud of the boys. Even the guys not playing put their heart into it and tried to help in whatever way they could. Couldn't have asked for anything more."

Tigers are beginning to grasp the T20 format better and Shakib believed that they were starting to win more close matches.

"We know now how to win matches, especially tight matches. We kept on losing so many matches after going close but now we have started to win."

The team mentality may have taken a beating but then Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, captain of the ODI side put the Tigers back on track as they won the ODI series 2-1. Bangladesh then lost the first T20 but returned with back to back wins to clinch a memorable T20 series in what was only their second T20 away series victory.