Bangladesh Cricket Team Prepares for Test Series Against India
Introduction to the Series
The Bangladesh cricket team, under the leadership of Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, is gearing up for an exciting two-match Test series against India. The competition kicks off on September 19 in Chennai, with the team having departed from Dhaka on Sunday afternoon to face this formidable challenge.
Match Schedule and Venues
The first Test will be held at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and is scheduled to conclude on September 23. Following that, the second Test will take place at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 until October 1.
Recent Performance Boosts Confidence
Bangladesh enters this series brimming with confidence after a convincing 2-0 victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi. This recent success has bolstered their morale as they prepare to take on one of cricket’s powerhouses.
Captain’s Ambition for Success
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his determination for his team to secure victories in both matches against India. In an interview with The Daily Star at the airport, he stated, “Our goal is clear: we aim to win both games. The process leading up to those wins is crucial; if we execute our plans effectively, positive results are within reach.”
This upcoming series forms part of the World Test Championship cycle spanning from 2023 to 2025. Currently, India sits atop the standings with a percentage point tally of 68.52%, while Bangladesh occupies fourth place with a score of 45.83%. During their last tour of India back in 2019, Bangladesh faced defeat in both Tests.
Acknowledging India’s Strengths While Staying Optimistic
Shanto acknowledged India’s superior ranking but emphasized his team’s recent form: “If you look at the rankings, they are significantly ahead of us; however, we’ve been performing well lately and had a successful series recently.” He further noted that playing consistently well over five days could lead either side towards victory: “The outcome often hinges on how we perform during those final moments.”
Bangladesh Squad Overview
Here’s a look at Bangladesh’s squad for this important series:
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy
- Zakir Hasan
- Shadman Islam
- Mominul Haque
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Shakib Al Hasan
- Litton Kumer Das
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taijul Islam
- Nayeem Hasan
- Nahid Rana
- Hasan Mahmud
- Taskin Ahmed
- Syed Khaled Ahmed
- Jaker Ali Anik
As they embark on this journey against one of their toughest opponents yet again, all eyes will be on how well Bangladesh can translate their recent successes into performance under pressure during these critical matches.
