‘Very good position’ - Bangladesh chief selector confident of reaching WTC final

Bangladesh's chief selector Habibul Bashar has expressed confidence in his team's chances of reaching the World Test Championship Final. The side returned from their Australia tour on August 25, 2026, after concluding a two-match Test series that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Bangladesh currently occupy fourth position in the WTC standings with six matches remaining in the 2025-27 cycle. The team has made significant strides in recent months, including a historic first-ever Test victory on Australian soil in Darwin and a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan earlier in the year.

Speaking about the team's position in the championship race, Bashar outlined the progress his side has made in recent months. The selector highlighted Bangladesh's strong recent performances as evidence of their improvement and readiness for the challenges ahead. The team's fourth-place standing with 40 points and a win percentage of 55.56 places them within striking distance of the top two positions required to qualify for the final at The Oval in June 2027.

"We are now in a very good position in the World Test Championship. We have five very important Tests coming up, so let's see what happens," Bashar was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

Upcoming Tests and the road to the final

Despite the optimism surrounding recent performances, Bashar acknowledged that his team still has considerable ground to cover before establishing themselves among the world's elite Test sides.

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"I don't think I can say right now that, as a Test team, we have become a very good side. I think we still have a long way to go. But we have managed to make a statement of our own," Bashar added.

Bashar also said Bangladesh’s performances in Australia had earned the team greater respect, which was one of their objectives before the tour.

"But what Bangladesh are taking back from Australia is something we spoke about before coming here: when we return home, we want to take back a certain level of respect. I think we are able to return home with that respect," he concluded.

Bangladesh's next Test assignment will see them host the West Indies for a two-match series later in 2026. Following that home series, the team will travel to South Africa in November for another two-match Test series.