Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto on Wednesday called for greater Test exposure against the world's top sides — Australia, England, and India — after his team completed a landmark 2-0 Test series sweep over Pakistan with a 78-run victory in the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. It is Bangladesh's first-ever home Test series win against Pakistan, and one of the most significant results in the country's red-ball history.

How Bangladesh Sealed the Series

Chasing a target of 437 on the final day, Pakistan were bowled out for 358, handing Bangladesh the match by 78 runs. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the architect, finishing with a match-winning return of 6 for 120 to skittle the visitors' lower order. The win follows Bangladesh's victory in the first Test, completing only their second-ever home series sweep against a Test-playing nation of Pakistan's stature.

Pressure on the Final Day

The hosts were not without their nerves. Mohammad Rizwan and Sajid Khan added crucial runs in the morning session, briefly putting Bangladesh under the pump before the spinners reasserted control. Shanto acknowledged the emotional weight of the closing stages. 'It's difficult to explain the emotion in the last hour because, honestly, they were batting well and we were a little under pressure. But compared to the previous Test matches, controlling that emotion and not panicking has become a little better,' he said after the match.

Shanto's Call for Top-Level Tests

Speaking to reporters at the ground, Shanto was direct about Bangladesh's ambitions on the Test stage. 'We actually want to play Test matches. We want to play with every team. I think now we want to play more Tests with Australia, England, India, both home and away,' he said. He explained that exposure to elite opposition is the only sustainable route to building a competitive Test side. 'Because when we get the chance to play matches, when we get those new experiences, the team will slowly build. Otherwise, playing with the same team again and again, playing in the same conditions, it is difficult to actually build a team,' he added.

ICC Scheduling and the Road Ahead

Shanto also directed a pointed appeal at the International Cricket Council (ICC), urging the global body to facilitate more high-quality fixtures for Bangladesh. 'So hopefully, the ICC will give us more Test matches with all the teams. Now that we are getting the chance to play more matches, this is a positive aspect. But if we can play more and better matches with Australia, England, and India, of course, it will be better for our team,' he said. Despite the historic result, Shanto was measured in his assessment of where Bangladesh stand as a Test unit. 'What I always say is that we have to build our Test team slowly, there is still a lot of room for improvement. When we play consistently well at home and abroad, then I would say that our team is better than before,' he noted. The victory marks a pivotal moment, but the captain made clear the destination is still some distance away.