A story of firsts — Reliving Bangladesh's maiden victories
Test cricket
Having played their maiden Test match against India in 2000, it was a wait of five long years and 34 Test matches before Bangladesh tasted their first ever victory in the longest format of the game. Playing a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe at home, Bangladesh's moment of glory arrived in the first match in Chittagong.
Batting first, a collective display from the batters helped the hosts post a mammoth total of 488 on the board. Mohammad Rafique then turned in a memorable performance with the ball, with his figures of 5/65 restricting the visitors to 312. The hosts would then declare their second innings at 204/9, setting Zimbabwe a target of 381. Enamul Haque's magical spell of 6/45 would skittle out the visitors for 154, with scenes of joy erupting at the MA Aziz Stadium.
ODI cricket
It was a long wait as well in ODI cricket before Bangladesh tasted victory for the first time. Having played their maiden ODI in 1986, it took Bangladesh 12 years before they had success in a contest. The moment arrived at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Hyderabad, in a tri-series involving India and Kenya.
Bowling first, Bangladesh restricted the Kenyans to a score of 236, with Mohammad Rafique being the star performer with the ball, with his haul of three wickets. Khaled Mahmud and Enamul Haque also returned with two-wicket hauls each. Chasing the target, Mohammad Rafique scored a brilliant 87-ball 77, as Bangladesh clinched victory with six wickets in hand and 12 deliveries remaining. For his inspired showing, Rafique was awarded the Player of the Match award.
T20I cricket
Unlike Test and ODI cricket, Bangladesh did not have to wait long to register their first win in T20I cricket. Bangladesh had a victory in their maiden T20I, playing against Zimbabwe in Khulna in 2006.
Batting first, a late cameo of 35 from Mashrafe Mortaza helped the hosts to a competitive score of 166 all out in 19.5 overs. A collective and disciplined effort with the ball would help them restrict the visitors to a score of 123/9. Abdur Razzak would be the pick of the bowlers with his spell of 3/17 in four overs.
ODI World Cup
Making their tournament debut at the 1999 Cricket World Cup in the UK, Bangladesh were paired in Group B as an Associate nation. After losing their opening two matches against New Zealand and West Indies, Bangladesh finally triumphed in their third contest against fellow associates Scotland in Edinburgh.
In a low-scoring encounter on a lively wicket, Bangladesh managed to score 185/9 after a gutsy knock from Minhajul Abedin (68). The bowling unit then fired on all cylinders, coming up with a sensational performance to knock over the Scottish team for 163. Hasibul Hossain, Manjurul Islam and Khaled Mahmud shared two wickets apiece.
T20 World Cup
Bangladesh's potency in the shortest format of the game was again on full display in their tournament debut at the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa. Playing against West Indies, Bangladesh came up with an imperious display in Johannesburg to seal a victory.
Shakib Al Hasan's four-wicket haul first restricted the Caribbean outfit to a score of 164/8 in their 20 overs. Aftab Ahmed (62*) and Mohammad Ashraful (61) would then ensure a comfortable six-wicket victory for Bangladesh, with two overs remaining.