Bangladesh’s Determination Despite Recent Struggles
Bangladesh’s recent performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) has been less than stellar, with 24 losses out of 41 matches since 2023. This includes disappointing series losses against Afghanistan and West Indies, and a morale-sapping 3-0 defeat to the West Indies in December 2024. The team’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, is no stranger to the struggles, having recently recovered from a hamstring injury and a poor run in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Despite these challenges, Shanto remains undeterred and believes strongly in his team’s potential to clinch the Champions Trophy 2025.
A Strong Conviction in Team Potential
"We are going to the Champions Trophy to become champions," Shanto declared with unwavering confidence. "All eight teams deserve to be champions in this tournament. They are all quality teams. I believe our team has the ability. No one will feel extra pressure. Everyone genuinely wants (to become champions), and believes in their capabilities. We don’t know what Allah has written in our fate. We are working hard and doing our best. I believe we can achieve our goal." Shanto’s optimism is infectious, and he is determined to lead his team with a positive mindset.
Addressing the Absence of Key Players
One of the significant challenges facing Bangladesh is the absence of senior allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is suspended from bowling in top-flight cricket due to an illegal action. When asked about the impact of Shakib’s absence, Shanto was straightforward and pragmatic. "Of course, we will miss him, but I don’t know why this question is being asked," he said. "Everyone already knows the answer, and many players have said it before. Of course, we will miss Shakib bhai. It would have been great if he were here. This question has been answered many times. I don’t think it’s relevant to talk about this before a tournament."
The Role of Emerging Players
Shanto is confident that other players will step up to fill the void left by Shakib. "Whoever gets the responsibility will have to play Shakib’s role," he stated. The captain is also optimistic about the absence of other key players like Litton Das and Tamim Iqbal, emphasizing that the 15 players in the squad are well-prepared and capable. "I am very happy and confident with the 15 players in the squad," he said. "Anyone who plays has the ability to win a match single-handedly."
A Balanced and Evolving Team
Shanto highlighted the team’s progress in recent years, noting significant improvements in their pace bowling and spin bowling units. "Not too long ago, we didn’t have quality pace bowlers, but now we have a strong pace bowling unit. We didn’t have wristspinners before, but now we do. Overall, we have a balanced team," he said. This balance is crucial, as the team will face tough opposition in the Champions Trophy, starting with a match against India in Dubai, followed by games against New Zealand and Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Preparing for the Champions Trophy
Shanto called for his team to quickly assess the conditions and raise their game, particularly by chasing and defending 320-plus totals. "I expect the pitches in Pakistan to be 300-plus wickets. If we bat first, we need to put up such scores. Even while defending, we will need to defend such scores. In Dubai, conditions vary at different times. Still, I think scores will be around 260-280. It’s tough to predict exact numbers, but historically, that’s how it has been. We will analyse how many runs are needed on a given day or how many we need to restrict the opposition to," he said.
Shanto’s vision is clear: if his team can fulfill their responsibilities and perform to their potential, they can defeat any team at any time. With a balanced and evolving squad, and the determination to overcome recent setbacks, Bangladesh is poised to make a strong case for their title aspirations in the Champions Trophy 2025.
