Players now ooze with confidence to beat India, South Africa: Shanto

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said that the landmark series victory against Pakistan instilled belief among the players that they now can beat any team in any condition in the Test cricket, a format which was once considered as their weakest link.

The series sweep against Pakistan, however, was a testament that they are now on course to be a Test giant like ODIs.

The Tigers next will face off India for away series and South Africa at home. India and South Africa remain the only two teams against whom they are yet to register any victory. But they are now quite confident to break the jinx in the next series.

“A series win like this (Pakistan series) will instill confidence in every player. The players are now high on confidence,” Shanto said after landing Bangladesh at the early hours of today following a historic series victory against Pakistan.

The Tigers returned home in two groups sans the star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan who went to UK straight from Pakistan to play a County Championship match for Surrey. Also pace bowling coach Andre Adams and Strength and conditioning coach Nathan Kiely were not with the team as they have gone on a short leave.

“India series will definitely be a tough series. For this, we have to plan anew and prepare ourselves well. If we play our best game it is possible to do well.”

Before the 2-0 series sweep, Bangladesh had no victory against Pakistan but they turned the tide impeccably this time. Shanto believes if they can make it happen it Pakistan, there is no reason that they can’t do it against India and South Africa.

Coincidentally in 2015, Bangladesh whitewashed Pakistan in a three-match ODI series before winning the series against India and South Africa in a row by 2-1 margin.

“As I said earlier, every match when we play, there is belief among the players that we will play to win,” he said. “I saw players oozing with confidence. I believe this time, we can change many records. Because we know that if we play our best game we can beat any team. If we follow the process without worrying too much about the outcome, I believe we will do well in the next two series as well.”

Bangladesh will leave the country for India on September 15 while the first Test will begin on September 19 in Chennai. Kanpur will host the second and final Test before Tigers play three T20 Internationals against India.

They will then travel back to country to take South Africa at home in two-match Test series in October.(BSS)