"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," for Bangladesh in Test cricket last year, as simultaneously they had their best ever year in Tests in abroad and the worse possible one at home.

While touring, Bangladesh played six Tests, won three – most ever in a calendar year for them – and lost three. For the first time ever, the Tigers beat Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series, and also ended their 15-year wait to clinch a Test victory against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

But at home, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side lost all four Tests they played, getting clean-swept 2-0 by both Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Due to the poor returns at home, even after a record-setting year in abroad, Bangladesh finished seventh in the 2023-25 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) with overall four wins in 12 matches.

Even though it was their most successful cycle till date and for the first time they avoided finishing at the bottom since the tournament's inception in 2019, they could've finished even higher had they not performed so poorly at home.

As Bangladesh begins the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in Sylhet today, which isn't part of the next Test WTC cycle, Shanto was questioned about their recent poor record at home and if they have figured out any remedy.

"What I felt was that we didn't play good cricket in those Test matches we played at home last year. We definitely had some plans but as players we couldn't execute them," Shanto said during a pre-match press conference at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

"We are working on overcoming the shortcomings which kept us from getting favourable results in home Tests last year. It's difficult to get results in away Tests compared to home Tests. As we have done well in away series, I'm hopeful that we can repeat the same at home," said Shanto.

The skipper also spoke about working on developing a 'Test team culture' within the side.

"It's disappointing that we have to talk about Test culture after playing for such a long time. Last year, all four of our wins were against big sides. From last year, there were some discussions about building a Test team culture. The new coach also has his own plans. He has already shared his plans with the players on how to take Bangladesh cricket forward.

"Apart from him, we the players gave some inputs as well. This year, we have five to six Tests and I hope you will see something new," said Shanto.

However, rain threat is looming large over the first day's action and there was some rain at the venue on the eve of the Test as well. Fan attendance is also expected to be minimum as ticket sales have been abysmal even on the day before the first Test.