Shanto Expresses Frustration Over Repeated Questions About Shakib Al Hasan Ahead of Champions Trophy

Bangladesh's win over Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup, thanks to Shakib Al Hasan’s brilliant performance, secured the team's qualification for the Champions Trophy. However, the team will now head into the tournament without Shakib. This has led to frequent discussions about the star all-rounder, which has seemingly irritated Bangladesh's captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, during press conferences.

On Wednesday, in response to a journalist’s repeated question about Shakib, Shanto responded with visible frustration, saying, "Of course, we will miss Shakib. I don't know why this question keeps coming up. We all know this answer, many players have said it already – we would have been better with Shakib. You’ve already received this answer several times. I don’t think it makes sense to keep bringing this up before a tournament. Shakib played brilliantly in that match and helped the team win. Whoever takes on that responsibility will play Shakib’s role."

Despite not playing many matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shanto emphasized his preparations for the Champions Trophy. "Alhamdulillah, I believe we are in a good position. I couldn't play many matches, but there was a positive side to that as well. I practiced regularly, worked on my fitness, and was able to prepare well during the BPL. I’m hopeful that if everything goes well, we will have a good tournament," Shanto said.

Shanto considers himself a capable batter, reflecting on his recent performance: "In the last ODI, I played a good innings against Afghanistan. I made decent runs last year, but my strike rate wasn’t quite up to the mark. I believe I can be a better batter. I’m doing well in the ODI format."

Regarding the challenges in the Champions Trophy, Shanto acknowledged the difficulty of every match. "I’m not focusing on any one team specifically, as all the teams are strong. Not just India, but Pakistan and New Zealand are also balanced teams. We will have to work hard against all three," he said.

Shanto expressed confidence in the squad, saying, "I am very happy and confident with the 15-man squad. Every player in the squad has the ability to win a match on their own."