Shanto assures Shakib’s focus remains on cricket ahead of 1st Test against Pakistan
As Bangladesh gears up for a crucial Test series against Pakistan, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto addressed the media, exuding confidence in his team’s readiness despite the complexities of the current situation.
In particular, Shanto spoke about Shakib Al Hasan, whose dual role as a professional cricketer and a politician has been under scrutiny following the recent political changes in Bangladesh.
Shakib, a veteran cricketer and former Member of Parliament (MP) for the now-out-of-power ruling party, faces uncertainty regarding his political future. However, Shanto was quick to downplay any concerns that these developments might distract Shakib from his responsibilities on the cricket field.
“I don’t think it will affect him because he’s a professional cricketer, and we all treat him as such,” Shanto remarked. “He has played this game for so long that he knows his role and how to prepare himself. We’re not thinking about his political career, and I hope he’ll do something special in this series.”
As discussions turned to the upcoming match, Shanto addressed the significance of the Rawalpindi pitch, traditionally favouring fast bowlers. While Pakistan has announced a pace-heavy lineup, Shanto remains confident in Bangladesh’s balanced squad, highlighting the strength of both their fast bowlers and spinners.
“In the last couple of years, we have had a very good fast-bowling unit. We also have some quality spinners, so we’ve covered all aspects,” Shanto said. “When we arrive tomorrow and see the pitch, we will decide our team. But the seamers are really excited to perform well in these conditions.”
Regarding the toss, Shanto acknowledged its potential impact but emphasized that his team is prepared for any situation. “The toss is very important. The players are ready for both batting and bowling. Personally, I’m not thinking about the toss because, as players, we have to be ready for every single situation.”
Despite the challenges, Shanto remains hopeful that his team will rise to the occasion and make a strong showing in the series, with Shakib expected to play a pivotal role.
