Najmul calls Bangladesh’s WTC top-four spot an inspiration, not pressure

Bangladesh keep focus on the next Test

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain says his side will treat its position in the World Test Championship’s top four as motivation, not pressure, as it prepares to host West Indies in a two-Test series beginning October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh have an outside chance of finishing among the top two, but Najmul said the team was concentrating on the opening match rather than the broader standings or even the second Test. “I am only thinking about this Test match and not even the second match of the two-match series,” he told reporters.

“For me, this isn't pressure, it is inspiring,” Najmul said of Bangladesh’s standing. He added that the team intended to stick with the approach it had followed in recent years, setting small targets and avoiding any attempt to do something extraordinary for the series.

Darwin win lifted confidence

Bangladesh’s historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin in August has strengthened the squad’s confidence, Najmul said. He noted that players had already shown a strong desire to improve in the format before that result, and said enthusiasm for the next Test had grown since.

Najmul also pointed to rising public interest in Test cricket as a source of encouragement. He said the team hoped to improve further and, in doing so, raise the national side’s standing.

Mushfiqur and Litton assessments pending

Mushfiqur Rahim took a blow to his hand during practice on the eve of the first Test and was seen receiving ice treatment after leaving the nets. The extent of the injury was not immediately clear. Najmul said he had not heard that Mushfiqur would be unavailable, but the team would monitor whether the pain worsened.

Bangladesh also awaited a medical update on wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das, who has been recovering from a right hip-joint injury sustained while scoring a century in the second innings of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier in the month. Najmul said Litton had completed fitness work and the team was hopeful, but he could not confirm his availability before receiving reports from the physio and trainer.

Salahuddin steps in as batting coach

Najmul played down the effect of Mohammad Ashraful’s recent removal as batting coach. Mohammad Salahuddin, head coach of the High Performance Unit, has taken over on an interim basis for the West Indies series. Najmul said the players already knew Salahuddin from previous work together and expressed confidence in the transition.