There is a familiar pattern for Bangladesh in white-ball cricket: they often find themselves calculating qualification scenarios in multinational tournaments. This time, however, the equation in the World Test Championship (WTC) is clear, and the Tigers’ hopes of reaching the final rest entirely in their own hands.
Bangladesh need four wins and a draw from their remaining six Tests to secure a place in the WTC final for the first time. Their first assignment begins today against West Indies in the opening Test of a two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Asked whether the stakes could put his side under pressure, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto offered a straightforward response: “That’s not pressure for me, it’s inspiring.”
Bangladesh are currently fourth in the WTC standings with 40 points and a points percentage of 55.56 after winning three, drawing one and losing two of their six Tests. After the two home Tests against West Indies, they will travel to South Africa for two more before hosting England for a two-Test series in February 2027.
The opportunity is unprecedented for Bangladesh, but Shanto said their preparations have centred on how they have developed in the longest format over the past few years rather than the prospect of reaching the final.
“I think having these kinds of equations in Test cricket is inspiring. I wouldn’t call it pressure because, when we started our preparations and whenever we discussed this series, we thought about how we have been playing Test cricket in our recent series and over the last
few years,” he said.
Shanto wants his side to stick to the approach that has brought them results instead of doing anything extraordinary because of the stakes.
“We don’t want to do anything extra, just focus on our process and give 100 per cent to what we can do. This is certainly a very important series, but we want to stick to the approach that has been bringing us results,” he said.
With a place in the final now a realistic target, Bangladesh are also determined not to get carried away by the bigger picture.
“We are not thinking too far ahead. We are taking it one match and one hour at a time. That is how we plan to gradually move this team forward,” Shanto said.
Bangladesh return to Test cricket after a drawn one-off match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, in which they failed to hold on to a winning position. Their body language during that match also raised questions about how they respond when under pressure.
“We often discuss crumbling under pressure in the dressing room. I think that tendency has reduced recently, though there is still room for improvement,” Shanto said.
West Indies captain Roston Chase, meanwhile, wants his side to finish the WTC cycle strongly. Currently eighth in the standings, the visitors are targeting two wins from the series to climb the table.
“We’re in some good form coming into this series, so we want to take two wins and try to take ourselves up the ladder and finish probably in fifth or sixth position, and that would be a good Christmas gift for the team as well,” Chase said.
Bangladesh have an experienced batting core, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque alongside Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy offer further batting options.
Shanto also faces decisions over the pace attack, with Taskin Ahmed back in the squad and Shoriful Islam competing for a place alongside Hasan Mahmud and Ebadot Hossain. Litton Das’ fitness could also influence the final combination after he missed the UAE tri-series with a hip injury.
West Indies will look to Chase, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge and Amir Jangoo to provide runs, while Jomel Warrican is expected to lead the spin attack, supported by fast bowlers Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph.
The pitch could play a decisive role in team selection. Grass was visible on the centre strip during the inspection, though it is expected to be trimmed before the match. Bangladesh could opt for three spinners if the surface offers turn; otherwise, they may field three specialist fast bowlers.
Probable XI
Bangladesh
Shadman Islam
Tanzid Hasan
Mominul Haque
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)
Mushfiqur Rahim
Litton Das (wk)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Taijul Islam
Hasan Mahmud
Taskin Ahmed
Ebadot Hossain
West Indies
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
Brandon King
Kavem Hodge
Amir Jangoo
Roston Chase (c)
Justin Greaves
Joshua Da Silva (wk)
Kemar Roach
Shamar Joseph
Jomel Warrican
Jayden Seales
