Najmul hopes Bangladesh get more Tests against the 'Big Three'

After clinching a historic Test series win over Pakistan, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said the team hopes the ICC provides more opportunities to play Test cricket against India, Australia and England, both at home and away.

Bangladesh completed a historic series whitewash over Pakistan for the second consecutive time, joining Australia as the only other team to achieve the feat in back-to-back series, after sealing a 78-run victory on the final day of the second Test at Sylhet on Wednesday.

"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," Najmul told reporters.

"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."

"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, India, of course, it will be better for our team."

Najmul added that he is happy the team could hold their emotions in crunch situations but insisted they still have a long way to go as a Test nation. Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan and Sajid Khan gave them a scare but Bangladesh bowlers came back strongly to secure the historic win.

"I think 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 previous Test matches, controlling that emotion and not panicking has become a little better," said Najmul.

"But there is a need for a little more improvement. Maybe the big teams have more work. But there has been improvement in this area. I am happy as a captain. Overall, we were able to play two 10-day Test matches. It is definitely a matter of pride because normally we didn't play much cricket like this in the past. Every player worked hard. Batsmen, bowlers who didn't get a chance to play matches, coaching staff who are there to help. Everyone contributed. I feel very proud as a captain to see this work ethic."

"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 fix those areas, when we play consistently well at home and abroad, then I would say our team is better than before. It's progressing slowly. For the last two or three years the improvement is progressing but still there is room for further improvement. Overall, we are in a very good position and moving forward very nicely."

"How do we maintain this? How can we play a little better cricket in these times? It's important when we face more challenges, especially when we have games with South Africa and Australia, how competitive cricket can we play in those places. Win or lose games, these will be there but the team that played hard for five days and gave tough time… I think as a captain about how this improvement happens."

Najmul added that Litton Kumar Das' brilliant hundred in the first innings was the turning point of the game, as he felt without it, it would have been a different game altogether.

"The way Liton bhai batted with responsibility at that place, it is understandable that this is actually going to be a big team. Everyone in the dressing room had that belief that Taijul bhai would provide support from here and Liton would keep running. Liton also sent a message from the field to me once that he would actually play with what approach. There was very good communication. In this Test match, the fact that we won, the biggest credit is Liton's batting at that time, otherwise we would have fallen behind a lot in that first innings."