SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stressed the need for stronger first-innings totals ahead of the Pakistan Test series starting on Friday in Mirpur, as the Tigers look for their first win of the current Test cycle after two matches.

The hosts have laid out a grassy track, and the wicket is expected to be sporting in nature. Shanto believes such wickets suit his side, and that the batting unit is settled. Bangladesh have a mix of youth and experience, with players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque bolstering the middle order.

“I hope it will be a good wicket. If you look at our team now, the bowling attack is experienced, and we have quite a few batsmen playing this format for a long time,” he said, adding that the batters and bowlers are capable of adjusting to changing conditions in Mirpur.

“In Test cricket especially, I think the batsmen are settled; we have played several series together. So, in terms of experience, I would say it’s a good team. Whatever the wicket is like, we have good pacers and good spinners on both ends. I think having a proper sporting wicket is good for our team.”

In Tests, first-innings scores are often indicative of how a match will unfold. With batting becoming increasingly difficult in the third and fourth innings on wearing pitches, strong first-innings totals remain a key metric for success. Despite their experience, Bangladesh have often struggled in home conditions. After two tremendous wins in Rawalpindi in August 2024, they produced first-innings scores of 106 and 159 against South Africa in Dhaka and Chattogram respectively in October.

Bangladesh’s average first-innings score at home over the last two years under Shanto stands at 327.2, though that figure was boosted by totals above 400 and 500 against Zimbabwe and Ireland. The Tigers, in fact, fared better away from home in the last Test cycle, with three of their four wins coming overseas. Shanto believes better first-innings performances can improve their home record as Bangladesh now tailor conditions according to opponents’ strengths.

“Certainly, the pace bowlers will help me as an extra asset because they have improved significantly in terms of skill and are bowling well in any conditions now... Personally, as a batsman, what I want from the team is that we always play good cricket in the first innings. If we can take up this challenge properly, I think this cycle will go even better,” the Test skipper added.

Bangladesh’s Test players, however, continue to face the challenge of returning to red-ball cricket after long gaps between matches. “It is difficult, absolutely... But it is very good that they at least got the chance to play one four-day match,” said Shanto.

The onus will now be on the batters to deliver after the long break. “I would say they have prepared well for that specific role, and I firmly believe they will be able to play their best cricket.”