Follow UsBangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto feels his team have all the qualities to defeat any side in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Bangladesh are set to commence their campaign against India in Dubai on February 20 (Thursday), and the 26-year-old wants his side to focus on executing the plans properly.
“If you look in this format, our team is quite balanced and we believe we can beat any team in this tournament. All teams are capable of winning this trophy but I am someone not thinking about the opponents much. If we execute our plan properly we can beat any team in any day,” said Shanto.
“I think if you look at all eight teams – they are quality teams. And against India, Pakistan, New Zealand, we have good memories. We won a couple of matches in recent times. Last year, when we played India in Bangladesh, we have some good memories from then. But that is past, I think if we play well tomorrow and execute our plan, we will have a good match tomorrow.”
Bangladesh are placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand. The Men in Blue will be without their ace paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. Shanto, however, doesn’t want to focus on individuals. “I'm not someone thinking about any individual cricketer. I think they have a lot of quality players, so we are thinking about how we execute our plans.”
Bangladesh have always been a spin-dominated team but in the last couple of years, they have managed to develop a world-class pace unit, featuring the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana and Mustafizur Rahman.
“I think we always struggle with our seam attack, but last couple of years we have got some quality fast bowlers. We have some fast bowlers, but now we have got Nahid Rana, Taskin the way they are bowling. I think it helps a lot. As a captain, we love to see bowling fast and bowl for the team. So, I'm really happy that we have got some good fast bowling unit and under lights the ball might swing. So, if they bowl in the good areas, it will help our team.”
Speaking about Rana, who is quite tall and can touch 150 KMPH, Shanto said: “Rana will definitely have a little bit of an extra focus on him. But he never feels that he is under pressure because he came to such a big tournament. He remains very normal. He's practicing properly. Of course, if he has the opportunity to play tomorrow, I believe he will give his best.”
Bangladesh will play their first game in Dubai before travelling to Pakistan for their remaining two group-stage fixtures. “Here I think we need to adjust, because if you look at this wicket, probably it's not that much high scoring if you compare to Pakistan. So, we have to adjust.
“But as a cricketer, I think we all understand when we need to adjust and how to play the game. I don't think it will be difficult. I think the boys are really looking forward to these two venues, how we can play good cricket.”
Nazmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana