Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is optimistic about a good result against New Zealand in the two-match Test series against New Zealand as he believes that the bowling attack that his team has possessed is good enough to win the side a Test match on home soil.
“The bowling attack that we have is good enough to win us a Test on home soil. We have to make it [winning Test matches at home] a habit in fact,” Shanto said in Sylhet today.
“To win a Test against any nation at home is now on top of our agenda. Then we'll think about how we can win Test matches outside home.”
The Tigers will take on New Zealand in the opening game tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Sylhet International Cricket. This is the first Test between the two sides on Bangladesh soil since 2013.
Bangladesh will go into the Test without several key players with captain Shakib Al Hasan, pace bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain being ruled out due to injury. Senior opener Tamim Iqbal skipped the series while Liton Das who led Bangladesh in its last Test against Afghanistan in June, was approved a paternity leave.
The BCB then appointed Shanto, who led Bangladesh in three ODIs, including twice in the recently concluded World Cup, as captain of the series.
In his first assignment as a longer format captain, Shanto has now got an inexperienced side against a team which is loaded with huge experience,
But Shanto believes the absence of senior players is an opportunity for the young players to show their mettle.
“There will be a time when these senior players won't play cricket. I mean, the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, who is still playing, will retire from cricket. So it's an opportunity for the young players to make their case stronger. It's an opportunity for them and I believe they will step up to show some good performances," he added.
He further said the young players should have taken this opportunity as a challenge to establish them in the team.
“The young players should take it as a challenge. I believe all players are prepared well to deal with the challenge that is ahead now. I think they will plan accordingly,” Shanto, who led Bangladesh a record 546-run win against Afghanistan in the side's last Test match in June with a big century, remarked.
The Kiwi players were surprised to see the Sylhet wicket when they first started practice there as the wicket possess some grass. The wicket is vastly different from the wicket of other venues in Bangladesh, in fact. But Shanto refused to reveal what type of wicket will be given for the first Test against the Black Caps.
“I don't think it will be right to disclose the wicket. You will all see tomorrow. We, the players, have taken as much idea about the wicket as we can. The strength, whatever we have, we'll try to use it to show a good performance,” he added.
With Shakib and Tamim in the twilight of his career and Liton looking reluctant, Shanto is considered as the next all-format captain of Bangladesh. Shanto himself is keen to lead the side but said it is good to give the next captain a long rope.
“I personally believe I can lead the team in all formats. It is easier for anyone to plan as a long-term captain. Whoever comes through as the next captain, he will have a better time if he gets a longer rope.”
