Najmul Hossain Shanto Focused on Execution as Bangladesh Prepares for Crucial Clash Against India

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has emphasized the importance of execution over individual opponents as his team gears up for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match against India in Dubai. Speaking to the media ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Shanto expressed confidence in his squad’s balance and their ability to compete at the highest level.

When asked whether Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the Indian squad provided an advantage, Shanto dismissed any such notion, stating that India remains a formidable team. “I am not someone who thinks about any individual. The entire Indian team is a quality side. Our focus is on executing our plans,” he said.

Shanto acknowledged the overall competitiveness of the tournament, recognizing that every participating team is strong. “All eight teams in the tournament are strong. If we execute our plans well, we will have a good match against India,” he added.

Discussing the playing conditions in Dubai, the Bangladesh skipper noted the differences compared to Pakistan, where his team recently played Test matches. “Here in Dubai, we need to adjust. If you compare this wicket to Pakistan’s, it is not as high-scoring. We have played in Pakistan in the Test matches, so we are aware of the conditions there,” he explained.

Shanto expressed confidence in his team’s depth, particularly highlighting Bangladesh’s growing strength in the pace department. “Over the last couple of years, we have developed some good fast bowlers. If they bowl in the right areas, it will be a big advantage for us,” he noted. He also pointed out the versatility of the squad, mentioning that their all-rounders could play a crucial role. “We have some good all-rounders, and I hope they will perform well tomorrow,” he added.

When questioned about the absence of veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from the squad, Shanto kept his response brief, simply stating, “No.”

He also touched upon Bangladesh’s first-class cricket experience, noting, “In first-class cricket, we play with the Duke ball.” Additionally, he acknowledged the passionate support of Bangladeshi fans worldwide, saying, “Wherever we play, we get a lot of supporters.”