Najmul Hossain Shanto reacts ahead of India vs Bangladesh Test series

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has expressed that his team's historic Test series victory over Pakistan has instilled a newfound confidence in their ability to win away from home. The Tigers achieved a remarkable feat by whitewashing Pakistan 2-0 in a two-match Test series in Rawalpindi. This historic win not only marked a significant milestone for Bangladesh cricket but also propelled them to the fourth spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. As Bangladesh prepares for their upcoming tour of India, Shanto's team faces a formidable challenge. They are set to compete in a two-match Test series against the current WTC table-toppers, India. Despite the daunting task ahead, Shanto remains optimistic. He believes that the monumental success against Pakistan will serve as a powerful source of motivation for his players. The confidence gained from their recent triumph is expected to bolster their performance as they take on one of the strongest teams in world cricket.

Shanto’s positive outlook reflects his faith in the team’s ability to leverage their recent success and replicate their winning form against top-tier opponents. The series against India will be a significant test of Bangladesh’s progress and resilience, and Shanto is hopeful that the confidence and belief gained from their historic win will drive them to challenge the best in the game.

"One word: belief. It feels great when you are winning. It is important to enjoy these moments. I think such a moment has never come in the Bangladesh team's history. Cricketers look for references. Now we have one. We know that we have the ability to win abroad," said Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a recent interview. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto, captain of the Bangladesh cricket team, expressed his confidence in his team's ability to perform well in Pakistan after observing their rigorous preparation and dedication. Shanto mentioned that he had a strong belief in his team's potential even before the series began, based on their hard work and commitment. The remarkable result in Pakistan, where Bangladesh achieved a historic 2-0 series whitewash, has only strengthened this belief. Shanto noted that the players now share the same conviction—that they can emerge victorious against any opponent.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is set to face a significant challenge in their upcoming tour of India. The first Test of this series will be held at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, beginning on Thursday, September 19. This venue is renowned for its rich cricketing history and is expected to offer a competitive stage for the two teams. Following the Chennai Test, the action will shift to the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur for the second Test, which is scheduled to start on Friday, September 27. Shanto’s optimism and confidence in his team reflect their readiness to take on top-ranked opponents. The upcoming series against India will test Bangladesh’s recent success and resilience, with Shanto and his players eager to build on their historic win in Pakistan and continue their strong performances on the international stage.

"The next time we play, I don't know about the result, but we will surely have the belief that we can win. I said the same thing in the press conference on the first day [when asked about Bangladesh's dismal record in Pakistan] that records are meant to be broken. It was from my belief after seeing how hard the players worked,” Shanto stated.