Bangladesh stunned Australia in the first Test, securing a nine-wicket win. However, the visitors were thumped by the host nation in the second red-ball game to level the series. The historic success in the series opener has made Bangladesh confident of making it to the World Test Championship Final in 2027.
Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar, who is the current chief selector of the senior men’s team, thinks there is a good chance of the squad competing in the mega match at The Oval in June next year. Bangladesh are fourth in the WTC 2025-27 standings with 40 points and a PCT% of 55.56. They can only qualify for the final if they finish among the top two teams.
Bangladesh have already competed in three Test series and will play three more. They will be hosting the West Indies and England. Bashar is confident about Bangladesh’s chances.
He feels Bangladesh are well placed to make it to the final.
“We are in a good position to play in the World Test Championship final. We will be playing in five important Test matches and let’s see how everything pans out for us,” he said.
Apart from the two bilateral assignments at home, Bangladesh will also travel to South Africa for a two-match Test series in November this year.
If Bangladesh win at least four Tests and avoid any slow over-rate offence, they are guaranteed to play in the 2027 WTC final with 40 points and a PCT% of 55.56.
Bashar lauded the national players for their performances in recent times. He pointed out Bangladesh’s success against Pakistan at home and in away matches.
“I am not talking about Australia. If you look at our performance against Pakistan in Bangladesh and away matches, the results were positive. We have been winning in the Test format,” he added.
“Bangladesh cricket has come a long way in the last two years from where we were in 2020 in Test cricket.”
However, Bashar admitted that there is still a long way to go for Bangladesh in Test cricket.
“I can’t say we have become a very good team in Test cricket. There is still a long way to go for us. But we have made a statement,” he concluded.