Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has emphasised the importance of building big first-innings totals as his side prepares for a packed Test season in the new ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Bangladesh will begin their campaign on Friday with a two-match Test series against Pakistan, aiming to improve on their previous performances in the competition.
The Tigers finished seventh in the last WTC cycle, winning four out of 12 matches. In the current cycle, they have already played two Tests against Sri Lanka, drawing one and losing the other.
Ahead of the upcoming series, Shanto said Bangladesh must focus on posting large scores in the first innings to support their bowling attack and improve match outcomes.
“We want to score 400-plus when conditions allow. The first innings is very important,” said Shanto, highlighting the team’s strategy shift.
He stressed that players should not be restricted in their natural style of play, adding that the priority is always to accumulate runs rather than adjust batting tempo unnecessarily.
Shanto also backed attacking opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim and middle-order batter Amite Hasan, who have been included to strengthen the batting lineup.
He said players like Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy should continue playing in their natural style, as long as they contribute runs effectively for the team.
The captain further noted that scoring speed or time spent at the crease is less important than overall contribution, whether runs come quickly or through longer innings.
He added that the team management is confident in its pace attack, which has shown significant improvement across formats and conditions.
Looking ahead, Shanto expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s chances in the two-year World Test Championship cycle, especially with more Test matches scheduled at home.
He said consistent batting performances in the first innings, combined with strong bowling support, will be key to achieving better results in the current championship cycle.
