Despite repeated failures, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has defended senior players Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riayd, reports UNB.
Bangladesh's hopes in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were dashed after consecutive losses to India and New Zealand, leading to their elimination alongside Pakistan.
In the must-win clash against New Zealand, Mahmudullah, returning from a calf injury, scored just four runs, while Mushfiqur managed only two, failing to provide stability in the middle order.
Their dismissals came at a crucial stage, derailing Bangladesh’s hopes of setting a more challenging total.
However, Najmul dismissed suggestions that the senior players were given automatic selections.
“There is no automatic choice in this team,” he said. “Riyad (Mahmudullah) bhai was important because of his recent form. Mushfiq bhai, despite his struggles, remains a vital player because of his keeping and experience,” Shanto said.
Bangladesh’s batting woes have been a recurring issue, with 179 dot balls in the innings against New Zealand. Najmul acknowledged that frequent wickets in the middle overs made strike rotation difficult.
“We made some poor shot selections. If we had planned better, we wouldn’t have lost so many wickets,” he admitted.
Bangladesh captain said they need to change their mindset to adapt to the global trouanments, instead of the personnel.
In their last match of this Champions Trophy, Bangladesh will take on the hosts Pakistan on February 27 in Rawalpindi.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
