400 runs, fourth place

Bangladesh started this ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a respectable draw against Sri Lanka in Galle back in June last year before losing the series in Colombo. But the sign from that series was clear as daylight.

The Tigers want to score big in the first innings to set up the game for their potent bowling attack — experienced spinners and pace bowlers combined — so that they have the time and runs to take the opposition’s 20 wickets.

Bangladesh already tasted the success of that blueprint when they finished seventh in the last WTC cycle with four wins from 12 matches. All of those victories came on the back of solid first-innings totals. Bangladesh had already earned a draw in Galle with a similar approach in this new cycle, further validating the method.

To progress even further, Bangladesh need to double down on their big first-innings total philosophy. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes that if Bangladesh can consistently execute that plan, they can realistically target a top-four finish in this ongoing championship cycle — a significant leap from where they were just two years ago.

“I think over the last two years we played good cricket, and we finished seventh. I think that is a good achievement. Slowly, slowly we are improving in this area, which did not happen in previous cycles. This year the target, I think, will be to perform even a little better than that — if we can finish around four or five, that would feel very good,” he said ahead of the Mirpur Test on Thursday.

With that goal firmly in mind, Bangladesh have made bold selection moves ahead of the two-match home series against Pakistan, starting Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Attacking opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim and middle-order batter Amite Hasan have been brought in to reinforce the batting unit and give the line-up more firepower, particularly in the first innings.

“We had been discussing Tanzid Tamim for a long time. Though the new selector came in and made a very good decision, I think. Personally, I feel the first innings becomes very important for a team, especially in batting, even in bowling. But what I personally want is that on good wickets, if conditions demand big runs, then if we can score 400-plus, that is very good for a team,” Shanto said when asked about the reasons behind picking Tanzid.

Crucially, Shanto is not looking to disrupt the balance of the batting unit or force any player into an unnatural role. He backed his first-choice openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy and their natural batting approach, while making clear that runs — however they come — remain the primary objective.

“But one important thing to understand is that everyone has a different style of playing. So I don’t want anyone to change their game. Whoever likes to play in a certain way should play that way. The important thing is scoring runs. If we score 400 in 80 overs, no problem. If someone takes 120 overs, I also have no problem. So the runs are important,” he explained.

On Tanzid specifically, Shanto was equally clear. He wants the flamboyant left-hander to bring the same attacking instincts that have made him Bangladesh’s most explosive white-ball batter in recent years, rather than trying to reinvent himself for the longest format.

“Basically, I don’t want anything extra from Tamim. The way he plays One Day International and T20 cricket, personally I want him to play cricket the same way. And if he plays like that, the team will automatically be in a good position on the day he plays a long innings. So nothing extra. And as I said, scoring runs is important, especially in the first innings. Whether we score 50 in 10 overs, no problem. If we score 20 in 10 overs, I also have no problem. But everyone should play according to their role and in the way they like to play. But a character like Tamim will definitely have an extra impact in the team,” he added.

Beyond the batting, Shanto is equally optimistic about what his pace bowling unit can offer over the course of what promises to be a demanding 12-match Test season. With Taskin Ahmed returning from injury and Nahid Rana continuing to emerge as one of the country’s most exciting fast-bowling prospects, Bangladesh’s pace attack looks deeper and more well-rounded than at any point in their Test history.

“Definitely the pacers will help me as an extra strength because skill-wise they have improved a lot. They are bowling well now in any condition, especially if you look at white-ball cricket. So everyone is in good shape. As a captain, I would want us to win matches at home this year in this two-year cycle. And personally, as a batter, what I want from the team is that we play good cricket in the first innings consistently. So if we can take that challenge properly, I think this cycle will go even better,” he concluded.