Bangladesh have taken the field against Afghanistan in a one-off Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday (October 9, 2026), with Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto emphasizing the need for consistency regardless of conditions.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Shanto cited the dry pitch conditions and intense Abu Dhabi heat as primary factors for his decision. Reflecting on Bangladesh's recent historic Test series triumph against Australia, Shanto asserted that past achievements are now in the background as the squad adapts to a new opponent and neutral venue.
Having recovered from a fever that kept him out of the Asian Games in Japan, Shanto confirmed his full fitness after two rigorous practice sessions. Despite the global surge in franchise T20 leagues, Shanto reaffirmed his strong preference for the longest format of the game, expressing a desire to prioritize red-ball cricket. Following this single Test, Bangladesh will prepare for an upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) two-match series against the West Indies later this month. Meanwhile, head coach Phil Simmons highlighted the importance of handling Afghanistan's formidable spin attack effectively.
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Reported by Sports Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
