"We will play with a win in mind" - Najmul Hossain Shanto ahead of IND vs BAN 2024 Test series
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has said that the Tigers must show enough resistance to take both Test matches into the final session during their upcoming India tour. Shanto believes the match can swing in any direction if that happens.
After securing a historic Test series win over Pakistan, Bangladesh will look to topple India in their upcoming tour. However, it will be their most difficult challenge, given India haven't lost a home series since 2012 and are yet to suffer a defeat in Test to Bangladesh.
Speaking at a pre-departure press conference, Shanto admitted that India are well ahead of Bangladesh in the rankings, but said their aim is to be at it for five days. He said:
"They are well ahead of us in the rankings. But we did play well recently. We want to play well for five days, that's our goal. We want to get the result in the last session of the Test match. At that time, the match can go in any direction. It is an opportunity [to get our first win in India]. We will play with a win in mind. But we don't want to think too far ahead."
The southpaw stated that the whole country has confidence in them to get the job done. He said:
"It will be a challenging series but we have the extra confidence from the Pakistan series. I guess the whole country has that confidence now. Every series is an opportunity. We want to win both Tests, but we have to stick to our process. If we do our job, we can get a good result."
It was only in 2017 that Bangladesh played their first Test on Indian soil. The hosts won it comprehensively by 208 runs.
"All I can say is that our pacers, spinners and batters will give 100%" - Najmul Hossain Shanto
Shanto also made a bold claim that Bangladesh's spin-bowling attack is at par with India's and backed his players to outperform the hosts. He said:
"We are in a good place with our bowling attack, both spin and pace. Perhaps our pacers are behind them in terms of experience but our spin attack is close to theirs. They can bowl in any conditions. All I can say is that our pacers, spinners and batters will give 100%. I think we can make a difference only if we play as a team."
With Shakib Al Hasan's batting form a concern, Shanto backed the veteran to come good in India and pointed out how well he performed with the ball for Surrey in his recent County Championship outing. On this, Shanto said:
"My personal goal would be for the team to win. I want to contribute as a batter, for which I have prepared to the best of my ability. I am hopeful [Shakib] will do well. The expectations are always the same with him. He is in good form with the ball. He didn't get runs [for Surrey], but he had a good outing with the ball."
The former Bangladesh captain bagged nine wickets for Surrey against Somerset in the County Championship division one match in England earlier this year.