Bangladesh are all set to brace the Test challenge from next month after competing mostly in the T20 format for the last couple of months in the buildup to the T20 World Cup, which concluded on June 29 in the USA and West Indies.

Now, will the BCB finally demand accountability from Hathurusingha or will they maintain the status quo as raising questions will bring them directly into the firing line?

No shortage of excitement, tension, and twists with the semifinals spot at stake: one could not have expected more drama than what unfolded during an absorbing T20 World Cup Super Eights contest between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Saint Vincent yesterday.

“I would say that as a team we have disappointed our fans. We have let down the people who always follow our matches. So, on behalf of my team, I apologise,” Shanto said after the match against Afghanistan.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal criticised the team’s decision-making following the team's 50-run defeat in a T20 World Cup Super Eight match against India in Antigua yesterday. The leading run-scorer for Bangladesh in international cricket, sharing his opinion as an expert with ESPNcricinfo, was perplexed by a few decisions that Bangladesh made in regards to the toss and personnel.

Bangladesh were outplayed in every department in their 28-run loss (DLS) to Australia in their first Super Eight fixture of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Antigua today as skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was left regretting not putting up a decent enough total on the board.

"It is not possible that every day the bowlers will make the team win. I hope they make us win every day, that's what I hope for but the batsmen also have a responsibility.

With the Super 8s berth, the Tigers also secured a direct qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

At one end, there is captain Shanto, a smart leader who has been brave with his use of bowlers, excellent with his on-field decisions, has taken a number of gutsy calls, and almost all of his gambles have come off.

Bangladesh players trained at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown today ahead of their final Group D fixture against Nepal at the same venue on Monday. A win against Nepal will seal qualification to the Super 8s for the Tigers alongside group-leaders South Africa. 

For Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, the lack of runs at the venue meant that both Bangladesh and South Africa have equal chances, going into the game on Monday.

Bangladesh managed to reignite their confidence after winning their opening T20 World Cup fixture against Sri Lanka in New York on Saturday. Having come under immense scrutiny in their build-up to the major event, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side seemed to have turned a corner and now eye a place into the Super 8s of the tournament following the thrilling win against the Lankans. With an encounter against South Africa up next, The Daily Star’s podcast Pitch Perfect brings you a discussion about Bangladesh’s chances to go through to the next stage.

Quite a few aspects like planning, execution, and process – things that Bangladesh players resort to while stating their expectations ahead of a game -- came through in their thrilling two-wicket win over Sri Lanka at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas yesterday. 

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain ended with 3-22 and Taskin Ahmed (2-25) chipped in with a pair of wickets as Sri Lanka were restricted to 124-9 and then Towhid Hridoy smashed four sixes in his 40 from 20 balls as Bangladesh reached the target with an over to spare.

The Tigers eager to prove their critics wrong.

Even though the left-hander is the designated anchor in the Bangladesh top-order, his career strike rate of 109.64 is not up to par in T20Is.

“We are not thinking about what has happened before. We know how capable we are, we have to be brave and execute our plans.”

Having only seen the facility through photos and various time lapses in the build-up, Najmul Hossain Shanto was floored seeing the stadium in person.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the mix of youth and experience was important to the team and, in particular, he hoped Mahmudullah Riyad and Shakib Al Hasan’s experience would guide them during the difficult stages of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto urged fans and senior players of the team support them during their tough times in the T20 World Cup.