Bangladesh's cricket captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, expressed his confidence in veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's ability to excel in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, even amid the country's political turmoil. Shanto addressed concerns over how the unrest might affect Shakib's performance, emphasising the player's extensive experience and professionalism.
In a pre-match press conference, Shanto noted that Shakib is well aware of his role and how to prepare himself for the game, stating, "I am not thinking about his political career." He reaffirmed Shakib's significance to the team, citing his impressive Test statistics of 4,505 runs and 237 wickets from 67 matches. Shanto expressed optimism, hoping Shakib would deliver a standout performance during the series.
Shakib recently joined the squad in Pakistan after playing in the Global T20 League in Canada. The political unrest back home had disrupted Bangladesh's practice sessions, but the Pakistan Cricket Board's invitation for an early arrival allowed the team to acclimatise and prepare adequately.
Bangladesh faces an uphill battle, having won only one match against Pakistan in their last 13 Test encounters, with 12 losses and a draw. However, Shanto remains hopeful about changing their fortunes, stating, "We have a balanced side, and I hope we play some good cricket." He believes that despite the challenges, the team possesses the capability to achieve remarkable results in the series.