Image Credit- AFP
During his time as
Bangladesh’s all-around captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto hopes to win an ODI
tournament and make general improvements to the country’s Test cricket
programme. Beginning on March 4, Najmul—who filled in as Shakib Al Hasan’s
temporary captain—will assume full-time duties for the three-match T20I series
against Sri Lanka.
At his first official press conference in Sylhet on Sunday, March 3, the
left-handed batter expressed his gratitude to the Bangladesh Cricket Board for
allowing him to captain the team in all three formats ahead of the series. He
added that having the captaincy duties divided across formats would make it
easier for him to prepare as a leader.
“I know it
[being all format captain] is challenging but for planning it will be easier. I
have to know about every cricketer though we stay together and playing together
but to do the planning it will be easier as I am in charge of three formats. I
hope something good will happen,” Najmul told reporters at SICS.
“I don’t think we have improved a lot in Test cricket but we are playing
better than before and what I want personally is that when we are playing at
home we can win those matches and everyone should build-up [understand] the
importance of Test cricket. When we are going abroad we should be able to
compete.
“In ODIs we are doing good but as a team we are yet to win a big
tournament so want to move forward with the plan on how we can play well in a
big tournament and bring a trophy for the country,” he said.
Najmul added that
the T20 series against Sri Lanka will mark the start of their preparation for
the upcoming T20 World Cup and added that going into it straight from the BPL
would hold the T20 side in good stead. “I think it is important that
before the World Cup we will play eight to 11 matches and if we can plan
properly and organise ourselves from here in that case it will be easier to
play the World Cup,” he said.