Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has downplayed concerns over their recent ODI setbacks, emphasizing their focus on bouncing back against Sri Lanka. The team’s consecutive series losses to Afghanistan and New Zealand at home have raised eyebrows, but Shanto remains optimistic about turning the tide. As they gear up to face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh aims to halt their slide and regain momentum. Shanto’s confidence signals a determined effort from Bangladesh to reverse their fortunes in the upcoming fixtures.
Bangladesh’s Captain Shanto’s Words on Sakib-al-Hasan’s Absence:
Shanto acknowledged the impact of Shakib Al Hasan‘s absence on the team’s lineup, indicating potential adjustments to the playing XI. However, he expressed a desire to maintain consistency in the batting order throughout the series.
Recognizing Shakib’s significance, Shanto aims to minimize disruptions by preserving the current batting lineup. This strategic approach reflects Shanto’s commitment to stability and continuity, despite the absence of a key player like Shakib Al Hasan.
He said, “We are prepared for a turnaround as a team. We did very well between 2015 and 2022, but we had one bad year. That can happen. We always face challenges at this level, so it is important that we start playing well.”
He also said, “We didn’t change [our line-up] much in our last series in New Zealand. Shakib bhai isn’t in the team, so there will be a bit more planning. He makes life easy for all of us. We will keep his absence in mind when making the batting order. We are hopeful of having a steady batting line-up.”
Shanto on Bowlers:
In Chattogram, Bangladesh will heavily rely on their bowling squad, especially the pace bowlers, to secure victories. The port city typically offers favorable conditions for batting, with dew often playing a role, even in March, which marks springtime in Bangladesh. Given these factors, Bangladesh’s strategy hinges on their bowling strength to counter the challenges posed by the conditions in Chattogram.
He said, “ It is important to see how the bowlers adjust to the conditions and wicket in Chattogram. It is definitely a challenge for them. Everyone has to consider the conditions in which they are bowling. We are not worried about how much a bowler is conceding individually. We want to see the bowling unit functioning well as a group.”
Bangladesh’s Hope for Other Player’s Performance:
Bangladesh anticipates a strong performance from Soumya Sarkar against Sri Lanka, especially after his impressive 169-run knock in the second ODI against New Zealand last year. This inning not only broke Tamim Iqbal’s 14-year-old record for the highest overseas score by a Bangladeshi but also showcased Sarkar’s potential. However, he managed just four more runs throughout the series.
Shanto said, “[Soumya] played a full series in New Zealand after a long time. He played a big innings in one of the matches. Everyone has to be consistent. There is room for improvement, and Soumya knows about it. He is working on it. His innings in New Zealand was indeed a big deal for our team, especially in those conditions. I am hopeful that he will use his opportunity well.”
Bangladesh may encounter sparse attendance at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium due to Ramadan. Shanto expressed little concern, anticipating that crowds would gradually increase once the team began performing well. Despite the initial low turnout, Shanto remains optimistic about fan support growing in tandem with the team’s success.
He added, “Everything is okay the moment we win a game. We probably become a bad team after losing one game. The lower hype may be due to the start of Ramadan. We are not worried about it. Those who follow the team, they always come to the ground. I think they become emotional because they expect a lot more from us. We always try to give our best to make them happy.”
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