Shanto stresses executing plan well against India

Dhaka, 19 Feb  - Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto believes if they can execute their plan well, they can beat any team on any day.

He made the statement today ahead of taking on India in their Champions Trophy opener. The match starts at 3:00 PM (BST) Thursday at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

‘Basically I think if you look in this format, our team is quite balanced and we believe we can beat any team in this tournament,” Shanto, oozing with confidence, told reporters in Dubai.

“All teams are capable of winning this trophy but I am someone not thinking about the opponents much. If we execute our plan properly we can beat any team in any day.”
But for this, we have to play well in all three departments, Shanto said, underlying the importance of playing as a unit. 

“I think we have to play well in all departments - batting, bowling, fielding - because I think the way we played the last few years in this format, I believe we have a good side,” he added.

 Also Bangladesh have an advantage of some quality all rounders, who always play important role, especially in white-ball cricket.

Vice-Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz in fact is the X factor that Bangladesh are seeking. He is one of the two batters with an ODI hundred while batting at No.8 or below.

The likes of Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain also could be handy as lower order batters, while captain may get some overs bowling service from opener Soumya Sarkar. 

“All-rounders always balance the team and we have got some good all-rounders. I hope they will perform tomorrow and play well for the team,” Shanto hoped. 

At the same time, Shanto believes they have a pace attack to envy. The inclusion of Nahid Rana, who regularly could topple 150kph, is a boon in Bangladesh’s pace attack, that also included the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman. 

“We always struggle with our seam attack, but last couple of years we have got some quality fast bowlers,” Shanto said. 

We have some fast bowlers, but now we have got Nahid Rana, Taskin the way they are bowling. I think it helps a lot, he added.

“As a captain, we love to see bowling fast and bowl for the team. So, I'm really happy that we have got some good fast bowling unit and under lights the ball might swing.”

“So, if they bowl in the good areas, it will help our team,” Shanto remarked. 

Shanto said, he expects a good start from Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar, who were in good form in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

“We just recently finished the BPL tournament. Tanzid had a good season. So, I hope he will do something special in this tournament and the preparations have also been good,” he said. 
And Soumya, yes, obviously last couple of series he batted very well in this format, Shanto said. 

“He got injured in West Indies but after that he recovered well and he prepared himself very well. I hope he will be in a good mode in this tournament.”BSS