Bangladesh skipper confident in team's readiness for first Test against Pakistan

As the much-anticipated Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh draws near, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto addressed the media in a pre-series press conference, expressing confidence in his team’s preparation and potential to perform well despite the challenges ahead.

When questioned about the potential impact of Shakib Al Hasan’s recent political setbacks on his cricketing performance, Shanto quickly dismissed any concerns. 

Shakib, a seasoned cricketer and former Member of Parliament (MP) for the ruling party, faced a significant blow when the government led by Sheikh Hasina fell, leading to a downturn in his political career. 

However, Shanto expressed full confidence in Shakib's ability to separate his cricket from his political life.

"I don't think it will affect him because he's a professional cricketer, and we all treat him as such. He has played this game for so long that he knows his role and how to prepare himself. I am not thinking about his political career, and I hope he will do something special in this series," Shanto said.

The Pindi pitch, known for its pace-friendly conditions, has led Pakistan to opt for an all-out pace attack featuring bowlers like Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Khurram Shahzad. 

Shanto, however, remained optimistic about his team’s balanced bowling unit, which includes both pace and spin options. He emphasised that Bangladesh is well-prepared to adapt to the conditions, with a particular focus on their spinners.

"In the last couple of years, we have had a very good fast bowling unit. We also have three or four quality spinners, so we've covered all aspects. Tomorrow, when we come to the ground, we'll assess the wicket and finalize the team. But as you mentioned, the seamers get a bit of an advantage here, and they are really excited to perform well in these conditions," he said.

Reflecting on the significance of the toss and pitch conditions, the Bangladeshi skipper acknowledged that while the toss could play a pivotal role, his team is mentally prepared for any scenario.

"The toss is very important. The players are ready for both batting and bowling, but it's crucial. Personally, I am not thinking about the toss because, as players, we have to be ready for every single situation," he said.