‘Next Time We Play...’: Bangladesh Captain Aims To Replicate Pakistan Series Win Magic In India
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh captain, aims to carry the belief from Pakistan series win to India as team prepares to face a much more daunting challenge in India's den.
Bangladesh are set to face India for a two-match Test series followed by three T20Is. The first IND vs BAN Test is scheduled to get underway from September 19 (Thursday) in Chennai. Although Bangladesh have never beaten the Indian side in Tests, their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is eager to carry forward the attitude and belief that helped the team stage history a few days ago in Pakistan, where they decimated their opposition to clinch a 2-0 away Test series win against all odds.
Just like they have never beaten India in Tests, Bangladesh entered the Pakistan tour with the same stat, as they had never beaten the Pakistanis ever in Tests before. Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 10 wickets in the first Test in Rawalpindi and then replicated their brilliance in the second Test as well to beat Pakistan by six wickets and clinch the series 2-0.
Now, with a much more daunting task in form of facing the World Test Championship 2023-25 table-topper India in their den ahead, Najmul Hossain Shanto is determined to bring the same belief that led Bangladesh to victory in Pakistan into their upcoming series in India.
'We Know We Have The Ability To Win Abroad' Says Shanto
ALSO ON ABP Live | Avinash Sable Finishes 9th In Diamond League Final Despite Recording Season’s Third-Best Time
In an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, Shanto was asked about how Bangladesh secured a 2-0 lead, and he responded: "One word: belief. It feels great when you are winning. It is important to enjoy these moments. I think such a moment has never come in Bangladesh team's history. Cricketers look for references. Now we have one. We know that we have the ability to win abroad."
The Bangladesh captain expressed that while he will not focus much on the results, he will surely carry the belief that the team can win.
"The next time we play, I don't know about the result, but we will surely have the belief that we can win. I said the same thing in the press conference on the first day [when asked about Bangladesh's dismal record in Pakistan] that records are meant to be broken. It was from my belief after seeing how hard the players worked,” he added.