Shakib returns to Chennai, Shanto wants to win every match

After a resounding series victory against Pakistan, the Bangladesh cricket team is embarking on a new mission, facing India in a two-match Test series. As the first Test is set to begin tomorrow in Chennai, captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto addressed the media today, providing updates on Shakib Al Hasan and discussing the team's goals.

Shakib has been in England recently, where he played a county match for Surrey, taking an impressive nine wickets in just one game. His strong performance has set him up well for the upcoming series against India.

In the pre-match press conference, Shanto was asked about Shakib's arrival in India and his preparations for the match. He replied, "Shakib has joined the team. He just played a match and will practice today. From what I’ve seen, the pitch looks good. I don't want to speculate on whether it will favor pace or spin; our focus is on adapting to the conditions as quickly as possible. Our team is balanced in both spin and pace, so that shouldn’t be a concern."

The Bangladesh squad arrived in Chennai on September 15 and has been training at the Chepauk stadium for the past few days.

Acknowledging India's strong reputation in Test cricket, Shanto recognizes the challenge but believes his team has the capability to compete. "We all agree that they are a tough opponent, but it’s important to focus on our strengths rather than just on the opponent. I believe this team has the ability to play well. Our aim is clear: we want to win every match. Every international team plays to win, and we will do everything necessary to achieve that. We will focus on playing well throughout the five days and only think about the result in the final session," he stated.