Dhaka: Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed strong confidence in his team’s potential for the upcoming Champions Trophy, affirming their ambition to win the prestigious tournament. “We are aiming to become champions,” declared Shanto during a press conference followed by a team photoshoot at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, emphasizing their goal as they prepare for the event.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Champions Trophy will feature the eight best teams, taking place in Pakistan and the UAE later this month. Shanto reiterated that all participating teams have the credentials to compete for the title, and he believes Bangladesh possesses the capability to achieve their set objective. Bangladesh previously reached the semifinals in the 2017 edition held in England, marking their best performance in an ICC-organized tournament. Since then, the team has become a formidable force in the ODI format, although they have yet to secure an ICC trophy.
Despite Australian legend Rickey Ponting’s skepticism about Bangladesh’s chances in the Champions Trophy, Shanto remained unperturbed, choosing not to comment on Ponting’s remarks. He stressed that the ambitious target set by the team does not add undue pressure, as every member is aligned with the goal and believes in their ability to succeed. Shanto assured that the team is working diligently and honestly towards their aim, confident in their preparation and unity.
However, Bangladesh’s preparation for the Champions Trophy has been less than ideal, with no scheduled ODI matches following the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). In contrast, their Group A opponents-India, Pakistan, and New Zealand-are actively participating in ODI cricket to prepare for the tournament. Shanto, however, downplayed this disadvantage, praising the BPL’s conditions and the team’s form, particularly the batters’ performance. He emphasized the importance of converting starts into significant scores and acknowledged the bowlers’ efforts on placid decks.
Shanto believes his team is well-balanced, with a robust pace attack and quality wrist spin, capable of challenging any team. He anticipates high-scoring matches in Pakistan, with totals exceeding 300, while Dubai is expected to yield scores in the 260-280 range. Bangladesh plans to analyze conditions and set targets accordingly, confident in their ability to adapt and thrive on any wicket.
Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy campaign kicks off against India in Dubai on February 20, followed by encounters with New Zealand and hosts Pakistan on February 24 and 27 in Rawalpindi.