As the T20 World Cup approaches, Bangladesh find themselves dealing with more than just on-field preparation. Their Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has openly admitted that the team’s struggles in World Cups are not new, while also addressing the growing distractions surrounding the squad ahead of the tournament.
Speaking to the media, Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged that Bangladesh have historically failed to deliver consistent performances on the world stage. While there were moments of promise in recent tournaments, he felt the team missed key chances which could have changed their fortunes. According to him, this lingering inconsistency has been a major hurdle for Bangladesh in global events.
The situation became more complicated on Sunday, January 4, when the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced that it would not send the national team to India for next month’s T20 World Cup. The decision was taken following security concerns and government advice. This came shortly after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman at the request of the BCCI. Although the BCCI clarified that the move was not directly linked to India-Bangladesh relations, it said the decision was based on the overall situation at the time.
Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted that such developments are difficult for players to ignore. He said that the team is trying its best to remain calm and focused, even though these matters are out of their control. He added that while players would prefer a distraction-free environment, their responsibility remains to perform whenever they are on the field.
The Bangladesh batter also spoke emotionally about a recent controversy involving BCB director M Najmul Islam and former captain Tamim Iqbal. Najmul Hossain Shanto said he was deeply hurt by a social media remark that he felt crossed the line. For him, Tamim is not just a former captain but one of the country’s most successful cricketers and someone many players grew up watching.
Najmul Hossain Shanto stressed that respect is something every cricketer deserves, regardless of their current role or past achievements. He described the comment as harmful to the spirit of the game and unacceptable. The BCB director has since faced strong backlash after the remark, which labelled Tamim Iqbal an “Indian agent”, surfaced online, further adding to the unrest surrounding Bangladesh cricket.
Let’s see whether Bangladesh’s cricket team will come to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 or their matches will be held in Sri Lanka.
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