The nation was in celebration mode when Bangladesh last played Test cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim becoming the first from the country to play 100 Tests was a huge moment. As was Bangladesh’s 2-0 series sweep against Ireland.
But it was back in November last year, which, by Bangladesh’s standards, was a lifetime ago. The events since certainly make it seem so.
A player boycott, the T20 World Cup ostracism, and another change of board president were just some of the things that transpired since those innocent days of the Bangladesh-Ireland series. A hint of stability has returned in the last couple of weeks with an overhaul of the BCB, and Bangladesh now head into their first Test series in six months: this weekend, they take on Pakistan in Dhaka.
Tests against Pakistan gained new meaning for Bangladesh ever since their monumental series win in 2024. It has led to many, including Bangladesh’s senior cricketers, to believe that they can repeat the feat in the upcoming two-match series.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and pace-bowling leader Taskin Ahmed, however, are not banking on nostalgia: Bangladesh’s form, preparations, and a fast-bowling attack that’s been doing things right for a while now are making them believe.
The ODI series wins against Pakistan and New Zealand in the last two months have boosted the team even though it has been months without Test cricket. Bangladesh, though, have always been a team that finds confidence from success in general, whatever the format, and have chosen a reasonably in-form squad with all of their first-choice batters present. The selectors have also picked Tanzid Hasan, who has done well in the white-ball formats recently. They have also selected batter Amite Hasan, who has dominated domestic cricket in the last few years.
Bangladesh captain Shanto suggested that the preparation – similar to the 2024 Pakistan series, he said – would give them the edge going into the Test series.
“I think what was best about the 2024 tour was our preparation,” Shanto said in a chat with ESPNcricinfo. “I remember that our players were very well prepared. In fact, I would say I had never seen such good preparation in my time as a cricketer. At the same time, I thought we played some great cricket. I think the way we came back from 26 for 6 [in the second Test in Rawalpindi] was unbelievable. So I think these two factors were highlights of that tour.
“I think we are preparing well again. Even those who have not been in the white-ball teams are in training for a long time. I think it is possible for us to win the series this time too, provided we work extremely hard over the ten days. I don’t want to look that far forward. It is important to play good cricket every day. If we can ensure that, we will have a good Test series.”
The Test series win in 2024 is still Shanto’s biggest achievement as captain. After that series, it was a rough ride with defeats against India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the next ten months. Already under pressure, the BCB stripped Shanto of the ODI captaincy and, after the Sri Lanka series, he quit the Test captaincy too. But by the time Bangladesh played their next Test series, against Ireland, Shanto had returned to the helm and has since returned to runs. He struck a half-century and century against New Zealand in the ODIs recently.
“To be very honest, I am enjoying my captaincy,” Shanto said. “I wouldn’t be in this job if I wasn’t enjoying the role. It is quite normal for a cricketer to go through a lot. It is essential to stay within what you can control; there’s no point thinking about what you can’t control.
“Captaincy relates to a lot of technical things like field placements and bowling changes that come into play especially during crunch moments. I think I did those things quite well in the 2024 series [against Pakistan]. There will now be new plans for the new challenges in the shape of a set of new cricketers in the opposition. I think my biggest advantage are the experienced cricketers in the side like Mushfiq bhai, Mominul [Haque] bhai and Taijul [Islam] bhai. They are always happy to give me inputs.”
Shanto’s main weapon against Pakistan will be his fast-bowling attack, which dominated against Pakistan and New Zealand in ODIs recently. Taskin will lead the attack, alongside Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Ebadot Hossain.
Rana has grabbed the most attention recently but Shoriful has shown great form, Ebadot is a vastly improved bowler, and Taskin is returning to the Test fold after December 2024 but has been at the top of his game in other formats.
“It is by the grace of the almighty that so many fast bowlers are coming up in Bangladesh,” Taskin said. “We have a great variety of fast bowling. We have guys like Mustafiz[ur Rahman], myself, Rana, Shoriful, Ebadot and Hasan Mahmud. All of us can bowl match-winning spells.
“It is all about our rhythm, so we try to make the best of the day when we are in good rhythm. Since our quality has improved, we have become more consistent. Bowling partnerships have become much better, which is a very important aspect in the overall growth.”
It was Taskin’s comeback that, in many ways, inspired the rest of the fast bowlers in the country.
“I think it all started with my comeback during the Covid days,” Taskin said. “Everyone saw how hard work and process can make anything happen. Everybody started to follow the same path. We became consistent regarding the process. We also have a strong bond off the field. We are having dinner together, we are going out together, we share each other’s experience.”
Taskin had a bit role to play in Bangladesh’s 2024 triumph in Rawalpindi, though he still beams whenever the series is mentioned. It was his first over of the match against Abdullah Shafique in the second Test that gave Bangladesh the early advantage.
“I was definitely enjoying bowling in Rawalpindi, particularly that first over of the match. I was able to execute the entire over the way I wanted,” Taskin said. “I took five balls away and brought the sixth ball in. Actually you will enjoy bowling when there are sporting conditions.
“I am sure that it will be similar in Bangladesh this time, as pitches are much better now than before. When the bowlers get a little bit of movement, the chances of executing increase and, at the same time, the extra effort comes from within.”
The 2024 series will also bring back good memories for Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was adjudged the Player of the Series after his 155 runs and ten wickets in the two Tests. It was the best all-round performance in a Test series in Pakistan in 27 years. Mehidy’s biggest contributions were his batting partnerships in both the Tests.
Such contributions from Shanto, Taskin and Mehidy will be necessary again if Bangladesh are to do an encore, this time at home. Even though Shanto has signalled his good form of late, Taskin might be rusty when it comes to the red ball, and Mehidy hasn’t had a great time since those outings in Rawalpindi. Thankfully for Bangladesh, there are now a few more performers who have shown match-winning capabilities. The litmus test would be to convert their white-ball form into a big, collective red-ball performance, and if they do, it could signal a turning point for Bangladesh.
