Bangladesh will aim for a rare slice of history when they take on Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo today, hoping to seal their first-ever Test series victory over the hosts.
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar has voiced support for under-fire opener Anamul Haque Bijoy, suggesting that the team management should give the struggling batter "one more chance" despite a poor showing in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Come June 26, Bangladesh will be completing its 25 years in Test cricket.
Sri Lankan great Angelo Mathews received a warm reception from the Bangladesh team during his farewell Test in Galle, which ended in a draw yesterday. The visitors gave him a guard of honour during his first-innings walk to the crease and later greeted him warmly after the match.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto defended his decision to declare late on the fifth day of the first Test in Galle, citing rain as a key factor that disrupted their plans for an earlier declaration.
Yet, despite the individual brilliance, murmurs of doubt persisted over Bangladesh’s approach, particularly their intent, or the lack thereof, in pursuing a win.
“As a leader, he’s shown great character, which will benefit the rest of the team.”
Unbeaten centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim on the opening day of the Galle Test yesterday brought welcome relief to Bangladesh cricket, who have been under scrutiny in recent months for both on- and off-field issues.
Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim has backed skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto to go on and convert his century into a double, after both reached three figures on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday.
Buoyant Bangladesh will face a different ball game when they meet formidable India in the two-match home series, beginning in Chennai on Thursday.
When a defeat of 208 runs is the best ever result for a cricket team against another in away conditions, the difference in strength of the sides hardly needs any further explanation.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has told the media that his side would look to win both Test matches against India as the team left for Chennai this afternoon.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto is leaving no stone unturned to get his form back ahead of the upcoming tour of India, consisting of two Tests and three T20Is, beginning in Chennai with the opening Test on September 19.
Murder-accused Shakib continues to have the support of his teammates, informed the Bangladesh captain.
Following their historic first-ever Test series victory over hosts Pakistan, the first contingent of the Bangladesh cricket team -- including skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha -- arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 11:20pm on Wednesday night.
“Belief is very important. Every single player believed that we can come back,” Shanto said at the post-match press conference.
Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto lauded the team effort in Rawalpindi following a 10-wicket win -- the very first Test win in Pakistan – and signified the effort the players put during preparations.
"We are paying tribute to the individuals who recently passed away in our nation during the protest and we are praying for their souls," Najmul said after his side's 10-wicket victory in the first Test in Rawalpindi.
“I don’t think he [Rishad] is fully ready for red-ball cricket at the moment,” Shanto told the media during an event at the capital’s Pragati Sarani today.
