Fresh off Bangladesh’s historic Test series sweep over Pakistan, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give his side more opportunities against the traditional “big three” of India, Australia and England, saying regular exposure against top teams is crucial for Bangladesh’s growth in Test cricket.
Bangladesh completed a remarkable 2-0 series whitewash over Pakistan after sealing a 78-run win in the second Test in Sylhet on Wednesday. It marked Bangladesh’s second consecutive Test series sweep over Pakistan after also beating them 2-0 away from home in 2024.
Speaking after the historic triumph, Najmul said Bangladesh now want to challenge themselves more consistently against stronger opposition across different conditions.
“We actually want to play Test matches. We want to play with every team. I think now we want to play more Tests with Australia, England, India, both home and away,” Najmul told reporters.
“Because, as I said, when we get the chance to play matches, when we get those new experiences, the team will slowly build. Otherwise, playing with the same team again and again, playing in the same conditions, it is difficult to actually build a team,” he said.
“So hopefully, the ICC will give us more Test matches with all the teams. Now that we are getting the chance to play more matches, this is a positive aspect. But if we can play more and better matches with Australia, England, India, of course, it will be better for our team,” he added.
Najmul also praised the team for handling pressure well during crucial moments of the series, especially after Pakistan threatened a comeback through Mohammad Rizwan and Sajid Khan in the final innings.
“I think it’s difficult to explain the emotion in the last hour because, honestly, they were batting well and we were a little under pressure, to be very honest. But one thing I will say is that compared to the previous Test matches, I will say that controlling that emotion and not panicking has become a little better,” said Najmul.
The Bangladesh captain credited veteran batter Litton Das for changing the course of the match with his first-innings century after the hosts had slipped into trouble early.
“So there was a very good communication and I would say that in this Test match, the fact that we won the match, I would say that the biggest credit is I think Liton’s batting at that time, otherwise we would have fallen behind a lot in that first innings,” he concluded.
The win propelled Bangladesh to the top-five in the World Test Championship standings, overtaking India. Shanto’s side will next travel to Australia for a two-Test series before heading to South Africa later in the WTC cycle.