Shanto: 'Very important for the whole batting unit to perform'

The Bangladesh captain said their bowling attack can "compete" if the batters post a big total in the first innings

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wants his "whole batting unit to perform" against South Africa in the Test series starting Sunday. Speaking on the eve of the first Test in Johannesburg, Shanto showed faith in his bowling attack but emphasised on the batters to play long innings.

"It would be very important for the whole batting unit to perform," Shanto said. "Particularly those who get set, they just have to play a long innings. Whether it is Tanzid [Hasan] or anyone else. Batting remains challenging. If we can give a big total in the first innings, our bowling attack can compete properly. Good news is that everyone is in a good mental state.

"It is true that we haven't had a good time in the last two matches. We feel it is more important how we can forget what happened, and move into what we can do. We are dealing with different conditions here, but we have had discussions about where we can improve ourselves. If we can execute our plans, and play our best cricket, we can do well in this match."RelatedBavuma ready for Mehidy in latest offspin face-off

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Bangladesh have failed to win a single international match since their famous win in the Darwin Test. Batting has taken most of the blame, especially after the way they had a near-perfect performance in the first Test against Australia. They were blown away in the following Test in Mackay by being bowled out for 64 and 95, before putting up a better show in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. But the batting fell apart again in the home series against West Indies which the hosts lost 1-0.

Bangladesh's team management has usually addressed batting concerns by packing the side with more batters. Shanto suggested the look of their XI for the first Test along similar lines, saying they were looking at a four-man bowling attack.

"I think in this kind of condition we think about sometimes extra batter, but we still didn't decide," he said. "But I think we are still in between, whether to go with an extra spinner or extra batter. So probably we will see tomorrow the wicket and make the decision.

"I can tell you that we will have three pacers. You will certainly see one spinner. [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz especially has done well in Australia. We might go with this combination. But we will think about it for another day, and decide on the morning of the match."

Shanto can rely on a three-man pace attack as Bangladesh's fast bowling is now the most talked about, and high performing aspect of the team. Hasan Mahmud has established himself with five-wicket hauls in five countries now, while Taskin Ahmed will lead the attack. Taskin has often taken wickets with the new ball, Shoriful Islam's seven-wicket haul in Mackay stood out, Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed have also shown consistency recently.

"I think (fast bowling improvement) is the biggest change in Bangladesh cricket, especially in this format," Shanto said. "I think we have got some quality fast-bowling attack, especially in this kind of condition they're very good. Especially someone like Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed. I think they have been doing a great job for us. I believe that in this kind of condition, they will do something special for the team. Their skill and preparation has been outsanding."

Bangladesh have to address a gap in the top-order after Shadman Islam's ankle injury in the Sylhet Test last week. They have picked openers Mohammad Naim and Mahfijul Islam to give them options. Both Naim and Mahfijul have been top scorers in the ongoing domestic first-class competition. Shanto though didn't divulge whether Mahfijul was making a Test debut or Naim returning to the Test side after four years.

"It is not as if (Mahfijul Islam) Robin is in the team for just being a right-handed batter," Shanto said. "I think he is part of the plan, especially having performed so well in domestic cricket recently. Naim has also been doing well in first-class cricket in the last few years. They are both in good form, but I don't want to reveal who will be playing."