In a commanding display of dominance, Bangladesh leveled the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe with a crushing innings-and-106-run victory in Chattogram. But in stark contrast to the jubilant scenes at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto issued a sobering assessment of his team’s overall performance, warning that their current level of play will not be enough as they prepare for a far more demanding Test assignment in Sri Lanka.
Despite the emphatic result, Najmul Hossain Shanto made it clear he was far from pleased. “This series was an opportunity to make a statement, and while we salvaged the result in the second Test, it should have never come down to that,” he stated. “We underperformed in the first Test, and that cost us the series win. We must hold ourselves to higher standards.”
Mehidy Hasan Miraz dazzled with both bat and ball as Bangladesh sealed a thumping win against Zimbabwe 👌#BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/aoN7iWasU7
— ICC (@ICC) April 30, 2025
Bangladesh’s Inconsistent Batting Leaves Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto Frustrated
Najmul Hossain Shanto was forthright in his criticism of Bangladesh’s batting unit, particularly the top order. While several players managed starts in both matches, there was a glaring absence of substantial individual scores — a trend Shanto views as unsustainable at the highest level.
“As a captain, I don’t want to see four or five batters scoring 30s and 40s. I want to see big hundreds — 150s, even double centuries. That’s the level of performance that wins Test matches, especially overseas,” he said. “We must move beyond these modest contributions if we’re serious about being competitive abroad.”
This call for conversion is more than rhetoric. Bangladesh’s batting collapses and inability to build on promising starts were central to their defeat in the opening Test. The lack of temperament under pressure remains a concern, and Shanto is determined to see a cultural shift in how the team approaches innings construction.
Mehidy Hasan’s Heroic All-Round Show Masks Structural Issues
One bright spot amid the inconsistent batting was the outstanding performance from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, whose brilliance in Chattogram delivered Bangladesh a morale-boosting win. Mehidy struck a sensational 104-run century to anchor Bangladesh’s first innings total of 444, then followed up with a five-wicket haul to help bowl Zimbabwe out for a paltry 111.
His performance earned him rare statistical prestige: Mehidy became the 26th cricketer in the history of Test cricket to score over 2,000 runs and take 200 wickets, joining the ranks of legends. More significantly, he became only the second Bangladeshi player to reach this double milestone after Shakib Al Hasan.
While Mehidy’s match-winning all-round effort rescued Bangladesh, Shanto was quick to note that relying on lower-order rescue acts is not a viable long-term strategy. “Mehidy is doing everything we ask of him and more, but we need our top five to shoulder the bulk of the runs. We can’t expect our all-rounders to bail us out every time.”
No Promotion for Mehidy: Najmul Hossain Shanto Emphasizes Role Clarity
Speculation has swirled around whether Mehidy should be promoted higher in the batting order. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto dismissed the idea, saying that while Mehidy is in exceptional form, his core contribution with the ball remains vital and should not be compromised.
“If you’re asking if he can bat at No. 4 or 5, I’ll say that’s unrealistic — especially in this format,” Shanto clarified. “He’s effective at six or seven, and that’s where his balance between batting and bowling can be maximized.”
Such clarity from the skipper reflects a matured understanding of team dynamics, one where specialists must own their responsibilities and all-rounders must complement the core without being overburdened.
Bangladesh’s Overseas Record Faces a Stern Test in Sri Lanka
With the Sri Lanka tour fast approaching, Bangladesh faces a reality check. Despite their home comfort in Chattogram, playing away in Sri Lanka poses an entirely different challenge. The pitches will offer seam movement and bounce, demanding both technical precision and mental fortitude from batters.
Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the uphill task. “Winning overseas isn’t about one-off performances. It’s about consistency, concentration, and commitment over five days. Sri Lanka will test every aspect of our game — especially our ability to bat long and bowl in partnerships.”
While Bangladesh has previously achieved away success in places like Pakistan and the West Indies, their overall record in Sri Lanka remains modest. The tour is expected to feature challenging conditions, particularly for subcontinental visitors unfamiliar with Sri Lanka’s unique pitch behaviors.
Najmul Hossain Shanto Call for Mental Toughness and Match Awareness
Beyond technique, Najmul Hossain Shanto stressed the importance of mental resilience. “We don’t just need to bat well. We need to bat smart. That means knowing when to defend, when to attack, and when to consolidate. It means avoiding reckless shots after settling in and pushing for three-figure scores that can change the game’s trajectory.”
This emphasis on cricket intelligence comes at a time when Bangladesh’s Test squad features a mix of young talent and experienced players. Shanto wants the next generation to adopt a mindset geared toward winning series abroad — not just performing in patches.
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Test series trophy shared 🏆 🤝#BANvZIM pic.twitter.com/45MOzZBTEj
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) April 30, 2025
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s win in the second Test was more than a series-leveler — it was a statement of capability. But as Najmul Hossain Shanto has made clear, capability without consistency is meaningless. His vision is not merely to avoid embarrassment at home but to build a team that can win anywhere in the world.
The message is unambiguous: this is not the time for celebration. It is the time for introspection, hard work, and hunger for greatness. With Sri Lanka around the corner, Shanto’s Bangladesh stands at the cusp of evolution. The question now is whether the players will rise to the standard their captain demands — or settle once again for mediocrity cloaked in occasional brilliance.
