Photo: Collected
On the first day of the Test against West Indies in Mirpur, Bangladesh made 213 for 3 after batting 74 overs. The runs came at 2.87 an over; put simply, they came slowly.
Even so, Bangladesh are targeting 400 runs in the first innings. Acting batting coach Mohammad Salah Uddin said this at a press conference after the day’s play. He was given the interim role three days ago after Mohammad Ashraful lost his job. In his words, ‘We have seven wickets in hand. I hope we will make 400-plus runs (in the first innings). Then we will be in a good position in the match.’
Bangladesh did not start well against the likes of Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Shadman Islam were struggling against the Caribbean pacers. After Tamim was out for just 9, Bangladesh were 19 after the first 10 overs. Overcoming that setback, Shadman steadied the side by building partnerships with Towhid Hridoy, Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto. The opener will begin today’s second day of play 1 run short of a century. Praising his batting, Salah Uddin said, ‘He read the wicket very well. If you look at the whole innings, he did not play too many shots. Tough times come now and then, and that is when we play loose shots. He got through the critical time and played the innings keeping himself under control. He has played many innings of 50-60 runs, but lately they had not been getting long. He is working on himself.’
Salah Uddin feels that although Shadman played well, the top order could not meet the team’s expectations. In his words, ‘I think there is something here (on the wicket for this Test) for the bowlers. If they bowl well, the bowlers will get something good. Our batters handled the situation well. The top order could have done better; then we would have been in an even better position.’
Background
According to a Dhaka Times report of 25 October 2026, the BCB removed Mohammad Ashraful from the post of national team batting coach in a notice on the night of 24 October, without giving any reason. He had been appointed to the post in November 2025; the report said Mohammad Salahuddin, head coach of the BCB’s High Performance unit, would serve in the interim until a new coach arrives.
Sources
Original report: Ajker Patrika
Background sources: Dhaka Times, 25 October 2026
