Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has voiced his concerns about the team’s struggling top-order following their heavy innings-and-273-run defeat to South Africa in Chattogram. Bangladesh managed just 302 runs over two innings, setting a record for the lowest match total at the usually batting-friendly Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
South Africa, after piling up a formidable 575 for 6 over the first two days, saw Bangladesh collapse quickly. The hosts lost 14 wickets on the third day, bowled out for 159 in the first innings and 143 in the follow-on, marking a dismal end to the series, which South Africa won 2-0. Shanto acknowledged the need for stronger top-order partnerships, a persistent issue for Bangladesh in recent Tests.
“We have been batting like this for a long time,” Shanto said post-match. “Without top-order partnerships, the rest of the batters will struggle in red-ball cricket. I don’t know how our top-order prepares, but if this continues, we’ll keep seeing these results. This was a good wicket, and we should have done better in both Tests.”
While individual efforts, like Mominul Haque’s 82 in the first innings, have shown promise, they have not been adequately supported by the top order. In recent matches, it’s been the lower order that has managed to put up fighting partnerships. Shanto cited several examples, including the 138-run seventh-wicket partnership between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali in the Dhaka Test, and the 103-run stand between Mominul and Taijul Islam in Chattogram after the team slipped to 48 for 8.
“We’ve had moments where individual players have stood out, but we need sustained partnerships at the top,” Shanto emphasized. “Top-order contributions are crucial for consistent team performance. We cannot rely on lower-order rescues like we did in Pakistan and still expect to win games.”
Bangladesh’s lack of stability at the top of the order remains a critical issue as the team seeks ways to become more competitive in red-ball cricket.