Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto described the bold call to declare on the last day against Pakistan as the turning point behind his side’s historic Test win at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Powered by Nahid Rana’s five-wicket haul, Bangladesh clinched a 104-run victory—marking their first-ever home Test triumph over Pakistan. For Najmul, the aggressive declaration, which set Pakistan a target of 268 to chase within 76 overs, represented a clear change in approach that shaped the outcome.
Key takeaways
- Najmul Hossain Shanto hailed the final-day declaration as the defining factor in Bangladesh’s win over Pakistan.
- Nahid Rana’s five-wicket performance helped Bangladesh secure a 104-run victory, their first Test success against Pakistan on home soil.
- Bangladesh set Pakistan 268 runs with 76 overs remaining during the declaration, underlining their intent to force a result.
- Even when Pakistan were 116/3 at Tea, Bangladesh stayed committed to winning rather than settling for a draw.
- Najmul credited Taskin Ahmed’s early impact after Tea, followed by momentum control from Taijul Islam and the pressure created by Rana.
- The skipper called for stronger support and recognition for Bangladesh’s Test fast-bowling group and for Test specialists overall.
Declaration and mindset set the tone
Speaking about what mattered most in the match, Najmul said the declaration was a major first for Bangladesh in that form, adding that it could boost belief for future contests. He stressed that the decision was not simply tactical, but also reflected a new mindset within the group.
Bangladesh entered the final day with a result-focused plan, and Najmul insisted that the message stayed consistent even after Pakistan appeared to be in a comfortable position. With Pakistan on 116 for 3 at Tea, the dressing-room direction, according to him, remained unchanged.
Najmul said that from the morning, Bangladesh’s instruction was straightforward: they would play to win regardless of how the session unfolded. He added that the coach reiterated the same idea at the Tea interval, and the players returned to the field believing they could still come out on top from that position.
He further explained the mindset when the contest was still in Pakistan’s favour at one stage—saying Bangladesh were prepared to make it extremely difficult for the opposition to secure a draw, rather than aiming to protect a stalemate. Najmul made it clear the team never considered losing as an option, insisting the aggressive approach was deliberate and they pushed to win.
Captain’s knock, bowling contributions and calls for Test support
Najmul, who scored 101 and 87 in the match, expressed pride in Bangladesh’s evolution in Test cricket. He said the side is steadily improving in the longer format, which is something they have long aimed to achieve.
When discussing the bowling unit, Najmul singled out Taskin Ahmed first, saying the early overs after Tea were crucial in swinging momentum back towards Bangladesh. He described a four-to-five over burst as the period that truly shifted the flow of the game.
Najmul then praised Taijul Islam for his work during the middle overs, noting that while Taijul had limited opportunities to bowl in the first innings, his spell in the central part of the match was impressive. He also highlighted Nahid Rana’s value, describing him as a special bowler and suggesting that Rana continues to develop further skills. Najmul said he enjoyed watching Rana’s impact and noted that the opposition appeared fearful of him, adding that Bangladesh will want that kind of contribution consistently.
Beyond individual performances, Najmul underlined the need to back Bangladesh’s expanding group of Test fast bowlers. He said he intends to urge the cricket board for improved upkeep and sustained support for this group, while also calling for Test bowlers to receive proper recognition.
He concluded by stressing that players who specialise in Test cricket should be given the same level of recognition and opportunity as those who focus on shorter formats. Najmul also pointed to the responsibilities of both the board and the media in ensuring Test cricket—and its performers—receive the importance they deserve.
