Fourth in the ICC World Test Championship standings and full of belief, Bangladesh are ready for Wednesday’s first Test against West Indies in Mirpur, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, who have never finished above seventh in a WTC cycle, are currently behind Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the rankings.
Bangladesh have a points percentage of 55.56, with three wins, two defeats and a draw from six Tests this cycle.
The Tigers have six Tests left in the current cycle, four at home – two each against the West Indies and England – and two away against South Africa.
If Bangladesh can win all four of their remaining home matches will push their point percentage to over 60, which would keep them in contention for a top two finish.
Shanto, however, said his team was not thinking too far ahead and were taking one step at a time.
“We’re not thinking too far ahead yet. If we keep playing well, we can certainly achieve it,” Shanto said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
“We’re taking it match by match, session by session, setting small targets. One match at a time, one hour at a time,” he told reporters.
He called the WTC permutations a source of motivation, not a burden.
“To me this isn’t pressure, it’s inspiration. We don’t want to do anything extra, we want to follow the process. Whatever we can do, we want to do it 100 percent.”
Shanto also gave an update on veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who was struck on the hand and left the practice session early on Tuesday, saying, “He’s fine so far. I haven’t heard anything to suggest he can’t play.”
Meanwhile, Litton Das, who is recovering from a hip injury, is awaiting a final report from the physio and trainer. “If everything is fine, he’ll play,” Shanto said.
Shanto also praised outgoing batting coach Mohammad Ashraful, who was axed just four days before the series, replaced by Mohammad Salahuddin.
“Ashraful bhai was with us for about a year. He did good work for the time he was here.”
The Test side is fresh from a draw against Afghanistan in the UAE which they were primed to win, before a final-day resistance from Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah ensured the match ended in a stalemate.
“We should have won that match, 100 percent,” said Shanto.
He still found plenty to take from it. “Everyone worked incredibly hard for five days. I’ve never seen body language like that in this heat, especially in bowling and fielding. This draw will help us a lot.”
Bangladesh Test side are still riding the high of the historic Test win over Australia in Darwin in August.
While acknowledging how that win has inspired the side, Shanto pointed out there is still plenty of room for improvement for the red-ball side.
“One thing to keep in mind: we still aren’t an experienced side. This Test series is very important.
“We have little time, and the focus is on this series now. Pressure and challenges will always be there, and we have to enjoy them. If we do these things well, I believe we’ll play these two Tests well,” he said.