As Australia and South Africa battle it out in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, Bangladesh’s national team is preparing for a different kind of opportunity.
Roughly 5,000 miles away, in Mirpur, the Bangladesh squad is holding scenario-based practice sessions ahead of its two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The series, which begins June 17 and continues through June 25, will mark the start of Bangladesh’s campaign in the new WTC cycle.
At a pre-tour press conference, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto addressed an obvious question: does Bangladesh dream of reaching the WTC final one day?
For Shanto, it’s about keeping expectations realistic.
“Right now, dreaming about the final would be foolish,” he said. “That is such a big goal. If I start thinking about that now, I think it would be a mistake. We should take small steps.”
There has been some progress. In the 2019-21 cycle, Bangladesh finished at the bottom of the WTC table. In the most recent cycle, 2021-23, they improved, finishing ahead of Pakistan and the West Indies.
Shanto wants the team to build on that.
“Our target is to win two or three more matches this time compared to last cycle,” he said. “If we think this way and move forward gradually, then maybe one day Bangladesh will play in a final. But this year and over the next two years, it is very important to achieve better results than before.”
The team is clearly preparing with intent. Shanto views the WTC as comparable to a World Cup in importance.
“I absolutely believe in this team. Everyone believes. Last year, winning four matches gave us extra confidence, especially winning away from home,” he said.
“Sri Lanka is a strong team. We all know that. But I think if we can play to our capability, we can start this Test cycle well. The matches we have from 2025 to 2027 are very important. It feels like a World Cup to me. As captain, I will feel good if we do well as a team.”
Looking ahead, Bangladesh faces a tough road. They are scheduled to play 12 Test matches over the next two years, many against top-ranked sides.
“It won’t be easy,” Shanto admitted. “We will face many challenges. But if the whole team works hard together, I think we can achieve better results.”
His immediate goal is clear.
Shanto hopes the team can finish the WTC cycle ranked fourth or fifth. A strong start against Sri Lanka would go a long way toward that goal.
Of course, aspirations will mean little without performance. The real test begins on the field in Sri Lanka.
Fans will be watching to see whether this Bangladesh team, with its mix of belief and caution, can take the next step.
