Bangladesh Captain Does Not Miss Shakib Al Hasan Ahead of Champions Trophy

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has kicked off today, and Bangladesh’s mission begins tomorrow with a match against India. However, one notable absence in the Bangladesh squad is the star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, who has been excluded from the team due to a bowling ban. Ahead of the match, the Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, was asked if he would miss Shakib in the Champions Trophy, to which he simply responded, "No."

Shakib Al Hasan, who played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's qualification for the Champions Trophy during the 2023 World Cup, will not be participating in the tournament. In the crucial match against Sri Lanka, Shakib's all-round performance helped secure Bangladesh’s place in the Champions Trophy. However, his absence leaves a void in the team as he is currently serving a ban for bowling.

In the World Cup, Shakib’s match-winning performance, where he scored 82 runs off 65 balls and took 2 wickets for 57 runs, helped Bangladesh qualify for the Champions Trophy. His partnership with Shanto, which added 165 runs off 149 balls, was instrumental in securing the qualification. Had Bangladesh lost that match, the team would not have made it to this prestigious tournament, and the whole country would have had to watch from the sidelines.

Despite Shakib’s absence, Captain Shanto is confident that the team can still perform at a high level. Shanto made it clear that they are not missing Shakib at this moment and are focused on the task at hand. The team is prepared to take on their opponents, starting with India tomorrow, and hopes to make a strong impact in the tournament.

This Champions Trophy presents a new challenge for Bangladesh, but with a strong squad and determination, they aim to rise to the occasion.