Bangladesh Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto Confident of Historic ICC Champions Trophy Triumph

Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has made a bold statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, expressing confidence that his team has the potential to win their first-ever ICC title. As the tournament, set to be held in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19, draws closer, Shanto believes that Bangladesh can pull off a major upset and compete with the world’s best teams.

Despite a disappointing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, where they won only two matches, and a single bilateral ODI series victory since then (against Sri Lanka in March last year), Shanto remains optimistic about his team’s chances. He emphasized that belief is growing within the squad and that Bangladesh will enter the tournament with the goal of becoming champions.

“We are going to the Champions Trophy to become champions,” Shanto said, as quoted by ICC.

“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,” he added.

The Bangladesh skipper also emphasized that his team is fully committed to the challenge ahead.

“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,” he stated.

Bangladesh has been drawn in Group A for the Champions Trophy 2025 and will face some tough opponents in the group stage:

• February 20 – vs India (Dubai)
• February 24 – vs New Zealand (Rawalpindi)
• February 27 – vs Pakistan (Rawalpindi)

A strong performance in these matches could see Bangladesh advance to the knockout stage for the first time in the tournament’s history.

While former captain Shakib Al Hasan is not part of the squad, Shanto is confident that his 15-player group has the right combination of youth and experience to make an impact.

“I am very happy and confident with the 15 players in the squad,” Shanto said. “Anyone who plays has the ability to win a match single-handedly.”

The Bangladesh captain also highlighted the team’s improved bowling attack, noting that they now possess a strong pace unit and quality wrist spinners, which were missing in the past.

“Not too long ago, we didn’t have quality pace bowlers, but now we have a strong pace bowling unit. We didn’t have wrist spinners before, but now we do. Overall, we have a balanced team. If everyone fulfills their responsibilities properly, we can defeat any team at any time,” he explained.

Bangladesh squad:

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.