‘Biggest achievement so far’

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has hailed his team's historic series whitewash over Pakistan as their best achievement in Test cricket — but insisted it is only the beginning. Speaking after Bangladesh completed four consecutive Test wins against Pakistan home and away, Shanto credited every member of his squad for the landmark victory while also highlighting the growth of the side and the areas that still need improvement ahead of a busy Test schedule.

The first hour of the final day

It is hard to explain the emotion of the one hour today. To be very honest, we were under pressure as they were batting well. I must however say that our team has improved in controlling their emotions or not panicking in these situations. We haven’t reached the level of calmness of top teams, but I am definitely happy with our progress, as a captain.

Ten days that shaped belief

We certainly haven’t played so well over two Test matches. It is something to be proud of. The way every cricketer worked hard, both with bat and ball. Even those who didn’t play and our coaching staff, everyone wanted to raise our bar by trying to win this Test series. I am really proud of these work ethics.

Silencing giants, step by step

You would always love winning against a quality team like Pakistan in such a dominant fashion. Everyone put in a lot of hard work and dedication in their preparation for this series. We were focused on winning the series, regardless of some players not playing up to expectations. We have to take advantage of this success. I think a bit of fine-tuning and improvement in certain areas, will really help us get better.

Best achievement in Tests

I am hopeful of even greater achievements for Bangladesh. Overall, these four Tests were really special. We have to build our Test team. Once we win consistently at home and abroad, I can say that the team is better than before.

On winning the sledging battle

When you have a quality bowling attack, we can give back. We can now win those battles with the bowling attack. I think it allows me to set fields to attack the opposition. But this is the beauty of Test cricket. I think it helps the bowlers when you can win those battles. It was nice to see us giving them a tough time.

Achievements from this series

I think declaring the second innings in the first Test was a big moment in our cricket. I think it will help us in the future. We also found out that our batting can get us into good positions despite being put into bat in tough conditions.

Captaincy

I am certainly enjoying leading the side. I have been playing with these same players in many different teams, including BPL, BCL and NCL. We know how each other’s thoughts. I have a fair idea how a player has to be utilised for the benefit of the team. I am quite clear about who to bowl when. I don’t do much to be honest. I just hand over the ball to the bowlers. The credit is all theirs.

Between spin, pace and growing trust

When you have five bowlers, you have options. One thing is that to win a Test match, I believe you need five bowlers. To take 20 wickets, you have to have bowling options. So we took that challenge, we didn't dare to do that much in the past. I would say that there is a big credit to the batsmen behind it. The batsmen are scoring long runs, scoring big runs. We had said something before the start of this series that the batting in the first innings is very important. When there are 350, 400, 450 runs on the board, those bowlers have that cushion that they will bowl with their hearts. So now we want to take that kind of challenge of five bowlers, six genuine batsmen and an all-rounder. Because we want to take the team to the top. So by taking the responsibility of the batsmen, we were able to give that cushion to the bowlers.

Captain and comrades

I think I am very lucky that Mushfiq bhai is on the field, of course there is also Litton, Miraz, Mominul bhai. But in such difficult times I like to discuss a little and the best thing is that I said four or five names, everyone came and gave feedback on their own, it is actually good for the team. Because I am very open, I like to listen. Because in this team, all 15 or 20 people who play in this setup, everyone thinks about the team, I try to give those decisions that are better for the team. From this point of view, I would say that I am very lucky that Mushfiq bhai, Litton, Mominul bhai, Miraz, everyone helps me. In such difficult times, it is often difficult to take decisions, so if you get such help from those around you, it is definitely an added bonus. We were talking about that kind of discussion about how we can take wickets without giving runs and what I said a little while ago about not panicking, those who are fielding, grabbing opportunities and helping the bowlers, these are the things that are being talked about more.

On the incredible Litton

Very important question. I was hoping that someone would do the first day question. I think outstanding means that it is actually what is called playing for the team. I would say that was one of his best hundreds I think. Credit must be given to Taijul bhai, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana, but the way Litton bhai batted with responsibility at that place, everyone in the dressing room had that belief that Taijul bhai would provide support and Litton would continue to run and Litton also sent a message from the field to me once that he would actually play with some approach. So there was a very good communication and I would say that in this Test match, we won the match. I think the biggest credit is Litton's batting at that time, otherwise we would have fallen behind a lot in that first innings.

Healthy competition among bowlers

I think it is good to have this competition. It is good to have this kind of healthy competition and what I said is that whoever is given the responsibility of bowling should do it in that place. I like to see that when the team is in danger, one person comes with the ball and takes wickets for the team and gives less runs for the team. Seeing this responsibility, I think it is good that everyone understands from everyone's perspective how important the game is. So I hope that we don't get too excited and prepare well before the next Test, correct the mistakes that were there and let this healthy competition continue for us.

The warrior Taijul

I don’t think I have seen Taijul bhai bowl so little as he did in the first Test. The pacers and Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled well. In this Test match, the responsibility fell on his shoulder, which he took quite well. I have a lot of expectations from Taijul bhai. I think sometimes we go over the top. We put a lot of pressure on him. He has been delivering for so many years, which is great to see.

Before Taijul bhai bowled that over with the new ball, I was setting a lot of in-and-out field placements. The condition of the ball was really bad. They were batting well, so we were not getting much help. We were waiting for the new ball to give the batters a tough time. We have quality spinners and fast bowlers in the attack. Taijul bhai has taken the new ball many times in the past. His skills and experience would always be challenging for the batters. Taijul bhai, once again, delivered for the team.

The transformation - spin to pace

We are able to select fast bowlers because of the type of wickets these days. We are choosing these wickets because the fast bowlers are of good quality. I don’t want to ignore the spinners. We still leak runs off the new ball, but again the spinners can contain the runs and pick up wickets even on such a good wicket.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets in the first match, while Taijul bhai took the wickets and controlled the runs from his end. The spinners stepped up in these conditions. We could even play on a spin-friendly track in the future depending on the opponents, then we can expect the pace bowlers to do the containing role.

I think we are in the period of a great bowling combination. We could even play four fast bowlers in Australia and South Africa later this year. In that case, we must balance our tail-end batting, with our top-order contributing more runs.