Shanto wants Bangladesh to focus on small targets

Mirpur, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has sent a clear message ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies: the team must focus on small targets before big dreams and trust its established process. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the first Test starting Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Shanto said he is thinking only about this one match, not even the series. This statement comes at a time when Bangladesh are fourth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with six Tests remaining - four at home and two in South Africa. "I am thinking only about this Test match, not even the two-match series," Shanto said. "Our preparation has been the same for years and we do not want to deviate from it. We have to execute the same process we have been following for some time." He added that the team's focus is on achieving small targets, which has been their approach for the last couple of years. The captain made it clear that big goals - like reaching the WTC final - are inspiring but should not become a source of pressure. "The possibility of the WTC final is exciting, it inspires you, but it should not be pressure. We need to focus on our day-to-day work." Looking at Bangladesh's WTC situation, the small denominator of six Tests is a major challenge. In the percentage-based points system, where a win earns 12 points, a tie 6 and a draw 4, every match carries disproportionate weight. One bad result out of six can heavily impact the percentage. Therefore, the four home Tests - which include this series against West Indies and possibly another future series - are the biggest opportunity for Bangladesh to accumulate points. On the other hand, two Tests in South Africa have historically been the toughest for subcontinental teams. Bangladesh have never won a Test in South Africa, making it clear that the qualification path runs through home venues. The Mirpur pitch is typically slow, low-bouncing and dry, assisting spinners from the second or third day onwards. This suits Bangladesh's spin-based attack, but there is no official confirmation about the nature of the pitch this time. The captain did not provide any information about the pitch or his playing XI. However, cricket experts believe that in home conditions, Bangladesh's spin attack can be more effective than West Indies' pace attack, provided the hosts show consistency in their batting. Bangladesh's recent form has been mixed. The team suffered a heavy innings and 106-run defeat against Zimbabwe, while a match against Afghanistan ended in a draw. Captain Shanto admitted that consistency is still an area for improvement. "We have improved in handling pressure in recent times, but I would not say we have overcome it completely." He said there is still room for 20-30 per cent improvement in the team, though he did not specify any metric to measure this improvement. This statement reflects a process-oriented leadership mindset, where emphasis is placed on preparation and execution rather than outcomes. Under Shanto's captaincy, Bangladesh have shown some positive signs recently, but the data is still based on a small sample. In a six-Test WTC campaign, every match is decisive. Experts say that to reach the WTC final, Bangladesh will need to win almost all home matches and secure at least one draw or win in South Africa, which is a very difficult target. Therefore, the captain's "small targets" approach is pragmatic - it protects the team from external pressure and allows them to focus on one match at a time. At the player level, Shanto himself is a top-order batter and his performance on a spin-friendly pitch like Mirpur will be crucial for the team. He did not provide any information about his personal form or technique, but the biggest test of his captaincy will be whether he can inspire his batters to build big partnerships. The team's batting has been struggling with a lack of consistency, and the captain has acknowledged this. The series against West Indies is both an opportunity and a challenge for Bangladesh. The Caribbean team has a good battery of fast bowlers, but their performance in subcontinental conditions has often been disappointing. Bangladesh need to maintain their home record. The captain said that growing public and media interest in Test cricket is a positive sign. "Over the last two or three years, a culture has developed around Test cricket. People are now taking Test matches seriously." This statement is also important for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as Test matches are usually a loss-making proposition financially, but growing interest could provide an incentive to host more home Tests in the future. From a governance perspective, there is no indication of any controversy or rule violation in this article. However, in the WTC's percentage-based points system, point deductions due to slow over-rates are a serious risk, especially for a team with only six matches. A single deduction or a rain-affected match can derail the campaign. Therefore, the team management must pay special attention to discipline and time management. Overall, Bangladesh face a tough but possible challenge. Shanto's leadership indicates that the team is trusting the process and trying to reduce external pressure. The first Test against West Indies starts on Wednesday, and all eyes will be on the captain's performance and the team's collective effort. If Bangladesh can dominate at home, the WTC path could become easier, but the South Africa tour remains a major hurdle. For now, the team's focus is only on the Mirpur Test, and in the captain's words, "We need to take one step at a time."