Najmul Hossain Shanto, captain of the Bangladesh cricket team, emphasized the need for the entire batting line-up to deliver as they face South Africa in the upcoming Test series. On the eve of the first Test in Johannesburg, Shanto expressed confidence in his bowlers, highlighting the importance of setting a substantial first-innings total.
“It’s vital for the whole batting unit to step up, especially those who settle in,” Shanto stated. “Players like Tanzid [Hasan] need to play deep into their innings. Batting here is challenging, but if we post a sizable score initially, our bowlers will be in a strong position to challenge the opponents. Everyone’s feeling positive.”
Acknowledging recent setbacks, Bangladesh is determined to focus on the future. Shanto continued, “We’ve had a tough patch in the last few matches. It’s crucial to move past those and concentrate on improving. The conditions are different here, but we’ve discussed areas for improvement. Executing our plans is key to success.”
Bangladesh’s recent form has been a rollercoaster since their memorable win in the Darwin Test. While batting has been criticised, especially following poor performances against Australia and the West Indies, the team showed resilience in Abu Dhabi against Afghanistan.
Addressing the team’s selection strategy, Shanto hinted at an approach tailored to conditions, weighing options between additional batsmen or an extra bowler. “We’re considering conditions here. We might go with an extra batter, depending on the pitch tomorrow. It’s likely to have three pace bowlers, complemented by a spinner. [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz has been impressive, particularly in Australia,” he explained.
Bangladesh’s fast-bowling attack has gained a reputation for its impact and vigour. With Hasan Mahmud achieving five-wicket milestones across five nations, and Taskin Ahmed at the forefront, the pace unit is a significant asset. “Fast bowling has seen a remarkable transformation in our cricket,” acknowledged Shanto. “Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed are proving their calibre. Their skills and readiness are commendable.”
Meanwhile, the top-order faces a challenge with Shadman Islam out due to injury. The team has introduced openers Mohammad Naim and Mahfijul Islam, who have been shining in domestic cricket’s ongoing competition. However, Shanto remained non-committal about team selection details. “Both Naim and Mahfijul are in form. Their inclusion isn’t just about them being right-handers, but their domestic performances. We’ll decide who takes the field soon,” he concluded.
