Preparation of Bangladesh Champions Trophy starts with Afghanistan series

Towhid Hridoy has encouraged his teammates to focus on the present and leave recent disappointing performances behind as Bangladesh embarks on a new phase of preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in the UAE, scheduled for November 6, 9, and 11, marks the beginning of this journey, followed by another three ODIs against the West Indies.

Before departing, Hridoy expressed optimism about the series, saying, "People will naturally have high expectations. I’m also trying my best to perform well. Please keep us in your prayers so we can achieve something good for the team and the country. We usually perform well in this format, and I hope we’ll have a strong start. If we play to our potential, we can accomplish something great, Inshallah."

Following a challenging home season, including defeats to India and South Africa, Hridoy believes it’s essential to move forward without dwelling on past setbacks. He emphasized to his teammates the importance of professionalism and staying focused on each match, explaining, "Every player here is a professional. There’s no point in overthinking the past. It’s best to take things match by match, whether it’s one game or an entire tournament. What matters now is how we begin the upcoming day."

With Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan absent from the squad, Hridoy could potentially be promoted in the batting order. "It’s possible. With those two out, there might be changes in the batting lineup. I’ll know more once the game begins," he said.

Hridoy is open to adapting his role based on the team's needs, adding, "I’m ready to bat anywhere the team requires. It’s all about what the team needs and making decisions for the best outcome. The batting order is shaped by the situation and the team’s priorities."